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Philippines

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Alternative Learning System

(Information contributed by Edward) In the Philippines, out-of-school youth can take the Alternative Learning System program in the Department of Education. There is like a training for 10 months or so, then the next year, the youth can take the Accreditation & Equivalency Test. If the youth passes the test, then the youth gets something which is equivalent to an elementary or highschool diploma (I think it goes something like, if you are to take the test atleast 12 years old, then it's elementary diploma, but if you're atleast 15 or 16 years old then it's highschool diploma). Manny Pacquaio, a very famous boxer from our country didn't have any traditional schooling but went on to get a highschool diploma this way. A first year high school dropout, boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao took and passed the (AET) under the ALS program. He was presented a high school diploma, making eligible to pursue college. He was then named as the DepEd's Ambassador for the ALS and Peoples Champ for Education. According to Education Secretary, Jesli Lapus, "Manny is an excellent model for all out-of-school children, youth and adults who are determined to learn and are able to gain functional literacy skills outside of formal schooling." (source) For more information about Alternative Learning System in the Philippines There are two ways in which you can take the Alternative Learning System, through the modules (and just months of classroom preparation for the test?) and through the Internet (with also just months of classroom with the computers as preparation for the test). For more information about the latter: click here . The latter is called the eSkwela project - the computer-based way of taking the ALS - but I've read that there are no elementary e-modules yet, so the eSkwela for elementary school solely is not yet available.
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Homeschooling

(Information contributed by Edward) Other than that, homeschooling is also legal in the Philippines. There are many home study programs which are extended offers from certain schools for those youth who wish an alternative to traditional schooling. (But most of them are christianity-religion-based). example of a home study program. For more list of home study programs in the Philippines.

But of course, natural learning is much more wonderful than homeschooling- homeschooling is all about taking the curriculum of school in your home, in your own style. I believe much more in the philosophy of each unique individual achieving for their own potentials rather than following a fixed curriculum. I'm still not sure though if even those kids who have enough money to pay for schools (private schools are much more in demand in the Philippines because public schools are of low quality here but they aren't any better) can be allowed to take the alternative learning system program but it must be the way if you really want to unschool and just follow the natural learning philosophy.

http://www.school-survival.net/wiki/Philippines

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