The Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) within the Department of Education in the Philippines has launched a smartphone application to support teachers involved in the non-formal education system in the country.

The Bureau handles non-formal education in the Philippines, creating a system to enable students who are unable to attend formal school to receive high school diplomas. The alternative education system is supported by 6000 mobile teachers, who travel all over the country to reach the students where they are.

The new app launched by BALS in partnership with telecom provider Smart will give these mobile teachers easy access to teaching material anytime on their smartphones or tablets. Electronic and mobile access is much easier for these mobile teachers, eliminating the need to carry multiple textbooks and other material around with them.

The app doesn’t even require internet access for daily use. It is being offered free of cost to teachers, and comes pre-loaded on low-cost tablets teachers can use.

The Department of Education and Smart Communications are further planning to introduce mobile learning solutions for students as well.