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Alternative Learning System (ALS) as a Tool for Social Reintegration: Former Inmate Learners' Perspective

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Title: Alternative Learning System (ALS) as a Tool for Social Reintegration: Former Inmate Learners' Perspective
Language: English
Authors: Rogelio C. Sala (ORCID 0000-0003-1149-5099), Mark Alden Arcenal (ORCID 0009-0003-0088-0423), Roullette P. Cordevilla (ORCID 0009-0001-7745-6570), Himeji-ken V. Dela Peña (ORCID 0009-0004-8761-5151)
Source: International Journal on Social and Education Sciences. 2026 8(1):31-40.
Availability: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. ISTES Organization, Monument, CO 80132. e-mail: istesorganization@gmail.com; e-mail: ijonsesoffice@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijonses.net/index.php/ijonses
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Nontraditional Education, Educational Opportunities, Institutionalized Persons, Correctional Education, Correctional Institutions, Social Integration, Student Attitudes, Graduates, Public Opinion, Negative Attitudes, Outcomes of Education, Program Implementation, Barriers, Student Empowerment, Educational Attainment
Geographic Terms: Philippines
ISSN: 2688-7061
Abstract: The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a vital tool for rehabilitating Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the Philippines; however, its success in social reintegration is poorly understood from the learners' long-term, post-release perspectives. To address this critical gap, this qualitative case study investigated the long-term experiences of six (n=6) former BJMP inmate learners who completed the ALS program and successfully transitioned back into society. Thematic analysis revealed that ALS functions as a profound internal catalyst, providing essential tangible educational attainment (e.g., a diploma) and fostering significant psychological and social empowerment (e.g., renewed confidence, reduced shame). Despite this internal transformation, the study's central finding is that ALS's long-term efficacy is ultimately compromised by external, systemic barriers. Specifically, the absence of mandated post-release follow-up from correctional institutions, coupled with pervasive societal stigma and prejudice from employers and the community, effectively neutralizes the educational achievement. The findings highlight a crucial need for policy intervention that shifts the focus from solely providing education to mandating sustained post-release support and actively combating societal prejudice, ensuring ALS fulfills its potential as a true tool for successful social reintegration.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494485
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1494485
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  Data: Alternative Learning System (ALS) as a Tool for Social Reintegration: Former Inmate Learners' Perspective
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rogelio+C%2E+Sala%22">Rogelio C. Sala</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1149-5099">0000-0003-1149-5099</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mark+Alden+Arcenal%22">Mark Alden Arcenal</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0088-0423">0009-0003-0088-0423</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Roullette+P%2E+Cordevilla%22">Roullette P. Cordevilla</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7745-6570">0009-0001-7745-6570</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Himeji-ken+V%2E+Dela+Peña%22">Himeji-ken V. Dela Peña</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8761-5151">0009-0004-8761-5151</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+on+Social+and+Education+Sciences%22"><i>International Journal on Social and Education Sciences</i></searchLink>. 2026 8(1):31-40.
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  Data: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. ISTES Organization, Monument, CO 80132. e-mail: istesorganization@gmail.com; e-mail: ijonsesoffice@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijonses.net/index.php/ijonses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nontraditional+Education%22">Nontraditional Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Opportunities%22">Educational Opportunities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Institutionalized+Persons%22">Institutionalized Persons</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Correctional+Education%22">Correctional Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Correctional+Institutions%22">Correctional Institutions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Integration%22">Social Integration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduates%22">Graduates</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Opinion%22">Public Opinion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Negative+Attitudes%22">Negative Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outcomes+of+Education%22">Outcomes of Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Implementation%22">Program Implementation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Empowerment%22">Student Empowerment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Attainment%22">Educational Attainment</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Philippines%22">Philippines</searchLink>
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  Data: 2688-7061
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  Data: The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a vital tool for rehabilitating Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the Philippines; however, its success in social reintegration is poorly understood from the learners' long-term, post-release perspectives. To address this critical gap, this qualitative case study investigated the long-term experiences of six (n=6) former BJMP inmate learners who completed the ALS program and successfully transitioned back into society. Thematic analysis revealed that ALS functions as a profound internal catalyst, providing essential tangible educational attainment (e.g., a diploma) and fostering significant psychological and social empowerment (e.g., renewed confidence, reduced shame). Despite this internal transformation, the study's central finding is that ALS's long-term efficacy is ultimately compromised by external, systemic barriers. Specifically, the absence of mandated post-release follow-up from correctional institutions, coupled with pervasive societal stigma and prejudice from employers and the community, effectively neutralizes the educational achievement. The findings highlight a crucial need for policy intervention that shifts the focus from solely providing education to mandating sustained post-release support and actively combating societal prejudice, ensuring ALS fulfills its potential as a true tool for successful social reintegration.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1494485
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 31
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nontraditional Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Opportunities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Institutionalized Persons
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Correctional Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Correctional Institutions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Integration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduates
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Opinion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Negative Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Outcomes of Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Implementation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Empowerment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Attainment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Philippines
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Alternative Learning System (ALS) as a Tool for Social Reintegration: Former Inmate Learners' Perspective
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            NameFull: Mark Alden Arcenal
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              Y: 2026
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