THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VELAR JR. 
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 W E  learning center will also serve as the 
community library. 
With these in mind, early passage of this bill is sought. 
MANU 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 523 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
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. 
Objectives. - This Act shall: 
(a) 
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 tde formal elementary and secondary school system; and 


(c) 
Enr-le 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: 
( 4  
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. 
CertGcation 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. 
beneficiaries of this program: 
( 4  
(b) 
(4 
(d) 
Elementary and secondary drop-outs; 
(e> 
(f) 
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, Culture and Sports 
(DECS) 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: 
( 4  
and electronic media); 
(b) 
Problem solving and critical thinking (including nurneracy, scientific thinking, 
innovativeness, creativity and decision making); 
( 4  
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); 
Who May Avail. - For purposes of this Act, the following are the target 
Any fifteen (1 5)-year-old and above who are either out-of-school youth or adults; 
Anyone who completed the Functional Education Literacy program (FELP); 
Unemployed out-of-school youth and adults; 
Those who want to learn to read and write; 
Communication skills (including listening, speaking, reading and writing from print 


i 
(d) 
Development of 
elf 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> 
diversity, peace and nonviolent resolution of conflicts, and global awareness and solidarity). 
SEC. 8. 
establishment of NFE coordinating centers in each division of the DECS. 
The NFE coordinating centers shall have general supervision over the program's activities in the 
municipalities and barangays. 
SEC. 9. 
Coordination Between the Bureau of Non-Formal Education and Local 
Government Units. - The DECS 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) 
( 4  
for sustaining the learning gains of NFE A&E; and 
(d) 
Disseminating information on NFE A&E. 
SEC. 10. 
Collaboration Among Concerned Agencies, Groups and Individuals. - This 
program shall encourage a concerted and collaborative effort among the interest groups and 
individuals. 
SEC. 1 1. 
Implementing Agency: Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Bureau of Non- 
Formal Education of the DECS 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. 
Expanding one's world vision (including knowledge, respect and appreciation of 
NFE Coordinating Centers in Each Division. - The program shall include the 
Identifjmg and helping in the recruitment of learners; 
Providing incentives to NFE A&E learners to enroll and attain their program goals; 
Conceptualizing and/or setting-up income generating projects as follow on programs 


, 
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 &om foreign institutions under the DECS. 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. 
same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions thereof. 
SEC. 14. 
or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 15. 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations and executive orders contrary 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least two 
Approved,