FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
I. 
Senate Bill No. ___ 
952' 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The role of non-formal education (NFE) in the development of the literacy and 
vocational skills of drop-outs and out-of-school youth has been acknowledged as one of 
the major avenues to uplift the socio-economic condition of the masses. 
There is a compelling need to continuously provide training and educational 
opportunities for the people so that they can contribute positively to nation-building. 
The non-formal education learning center will serve as the specific venue for 
conducting non-formal education such as basic literacy education, vocational skills 
training, values development and other socio-cultural activities. The NFE learning 
center will also serve as the community library. 
With these in mind, early passage of this bill is sought. 
MANNYVI LAR 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
7 ~ u L - 4  ii+:i6 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
~~~~~~V~~ BY :" I. 
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SENATE 
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Senate Bill No. 9 5 2  
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NON-FORMAL EDUCATION ACCREDITATION 
AND EQUIVALENCY (NFE A&E) SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Non-Formal 
Education (NFE) Act." 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to provide 
an alternative means of certification of learning to Filipinos aged fifteen (15) years and 
above, who are unable to avail of the formal school system, or who have dropped out of 
formal elementary or secondary education, to enable them to be self-reliant citizens of 
this country, while relying on their own capabilities and achievements for their, as well 
as their families' daily survival; to actively pursue and attain full potential as individuals 
and as members of society, to effectively contribute their just share in the social and 
economic development of the community through the full exercise of their gifts, talents 
and abilities; and to live lives of honor, dignity and prosperity. 
SEC. 3. 
(a) 
Objectives. -This Act shall: 
Provide a system for assessing levels of literacy and non-formal learning 
achievement based on a national Non-Formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency 


(NFE A&E) curriculum covering basic and functional education skills and competencies 
and designed to be comparable to the formal school system; 
(b) 
Offer an alternative pathway by which out-of-school youth and adults earn 
an educational qualification comparable to the formal elementary and secondary school 
system; and 
(c) 
Enable out-of-school youth and adults to gain reading, writing and 
numeracy skills, to meet their learning goals as they define them and to gain the skills 
they need to improve their economic status and function more effectively in society. 
SEC. 4. 
Framework. - The (NFE A&E) system is a pioneering effort to offer 
a uniquely non-formal alternative learning system to formal schooling. It shall be built 
around a truly non-formal curriculum and shall utilize a range of innovative non-formal 
learning strategies designed to break down traditional learning barriers of time, 
accessibility and resources. It shall also allow flexible entry and exit points and shall 
aim to maximize learners’ control of the learning process. It shall be comprised of the 
following four (4) key components: 
(a) 
NFE A&E curriculum framework which contains a learning continuum of 
essential skills, knowledge, attitudes and values desired for non-formal basic education 
and which are designed to be comparable to the formal school system: 
(b) 
NFE A&E learning materials which are based on the NFE A&E curriculum 
framework and designed to provide learning support for out-of-school youth and adults 
who wish to continue learning outside of the formal school system, particularly as 
preparation 
for 
certification 
of 
learning 
achievement 
through 
successful 
accomplishment of a national accreditation and equivalency test; 
(c) 
NFE accreditation and equivalency testing which is based on the NFE 
A&E curriculum framework and content of the NFE A&E learning materials, and 
designed to provide two (2) levels of certification of learning achievement comparable 
to the formal elementary and secondary education system; 
(d) 
NFE A&E learning support delivery system is designed to provide learners 
a range of alternative pathways in order that they may continue their learning outside of 


the formal system and upgrade their skills and competencies in preparation for taking 
the NFE A&E tests. This includes utilization of the NFE learning materials and a range 
of learner support strategies, structures and delivery modes, (such as learning 
facilitators, learning group sessions, peer learning and learning centers) and a NFE 
A&E administrative support system. 
SEC. 5. 
Certification of Learning of Individuals. - The NFE A&E system 
shall offer opportunities for two (2) levels of individual certifications which are deemed 
as comparable qualifications to the elementary level certificate and secondary level 
certificate of the formal school system. 
SEC. 6. 
Who May Avail, - For purposes of this Act, the following are the 
target beneficiaries of this program: 
Any fifteen (15)-year-old and above who are either out-of-school youth or 
Anyone who completed the Functional Education Literacy program 
Unemployed out-of-school youth and adults; 
Elementary and secondary drop-outs; 
Those who want to learn to read and write; 
Industry-based workers. 
SEC. 7. 
Courses and Curriculum. - Adults and out-of-school youth may 
undergo basic and short-term courses, including those on, but not limited to, literacy 
skills, values education, environmental education, nutrition and family planning, 
community building, leadership and such other courses as may be determined by the 
Department of Education (DepEd) in pursuance of this Act, in addition to courses 
presently undertaken. 
The potential graduates may also choose from among the following learning 
areas that will be offered by the program: 
(a) 
Communication skills (including listening, speaking, reading and writing 
from print and electronic media); 


(b) 
Problem solving and critical thinking (including numeracy, scientific 
thinking, innovativeness, creativity and decision making); 
(c) 
Sustainable use of resources/productivity (including the ability to earn a 
living as an employed or self-employed person, sustainable use of resources and 
appropriate technology, entrepreneurship and productivity); 
(d) 
Development of self and a sense of community (including self- 
development, interpersonal relationships, personal and national identity, and 
recognition and practice of civil and political rights and responsibilities); 
(e) 
Expanding one's world vision (including knowledge, respect and 
appreciation of diversity, peace and nonviolent resolution of conflicts, and global 
awareness and solidarity). 
SEC. 8. 
NFE Coordinating Centers in Each Division. - The program shall 
include the establishment of NFE coordinating centers in each division of the DepEd. 
The NFE coordinating centers shall have general supervision over the program's 
activities in the municipalities and barangays. 
SEC. 9. 
Coordinafion Between fhe Bureau of Non-Formal Education and 
Local Government Units. - The DepEd Bureau of Non-Formal Education and local 
government units concerned shall coordinate with each other in the implementation of 
the program in their area of jurisdiction. They shall help sustain the NFE A&E system 
by: 
(a) 
(b) 
program goals; 
(c) 
Identifying and helping in the recruitment of learners; 
Providing incentives to NFE A&E learners to enroll and attain their 
Conceptualizing and/or setting-up income generating projects as follow on 
programs for sustaining the learning gains of NFE A&E; and 
(d) 
SEC. 
I O .  
Collaboration Among 
Concerned 
Agencies, 
Groups 
and 
Individuals. - This program shall encourage a concerted and collaborative effort among 
the interest groups and individuals. 
Disseminating information on NFE A&E. 


SEC. 1 I, Implementing Agency: Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The 
Bureau of Non-Formal Education of the DepEd shall serve as the implementing 
agency. It shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, 
In pursuance of the State policy enunciated in this Act, the Bureau of Non-Formal 
Education shall continuously improve and upgrade its NFE activities and the 
components of its program in conformity with the demands of the changing times, for 
the benefit of adults and out-of-school youth. 
SEC. 12. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of 
the Bureau of Non-Formal Education and loans obtained from foreign institutions under 
the DEPED. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the institutionalization 
of the NFE A&E system nationwide shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 13. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions thereof. 
SEC. 14. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations and executive 
orders contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 15. 
Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect upon its publication 
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,