Lived Experiences of Students and Implementers in the Pilot Implementation of the Academic-Focused Bridging Program

The Academic-Focused Bridging Program (AFBP) is a strategic intervention under the Philippine Alternative Learning System (ALS) designed to address foundational learning gaps among Junior High School completers and support their transition to Senior High School or technical-vocational pathways. This study explored the lived experiences of learners and implementers during the pilot implementation of AFBP in Northern Mindanao, with the aim of generating evidence-based insights for program refinement and scaling. Guided by a phenomenological research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and classroom observations involving both student participants and program implementers. Thematic analysis revealed that learners experienced increased academic confidence, renewed mastery of foundational competencies, and improved readiness for post-basic education pathways. However, they also encountered persistent challenges, including financial constraints, competing work responsibilities, and limited access to learning resources, which affected attendance and continuity. Implementers highlighted the program's relevance and transformative potential but reported operational difficulties related to logistics, resource adequacy, time constraints, and the need for targeted professional development in bridging pedagogy and adult learning approaches. The study concludes that while AFBP demonstrates strong promise as a transition support mechanism within ALS, its effectiveness depends on addressing structural and capacity-related constraints. It recommends extending program duration, strengthening resource allocation, and institutionalizing adult learning principles in teacher training to enhance instructional responsiveness. These findings contribute to the growing evidence base on transition-focused interventions in alternative education and provide actionable inputs for strengthening the scalability and sustainability of bridging programs.