What is an alternative education? What is the target of an alternative education? What should be included in the curriculum of an alternative education for the disadvantaged? The authors suggest that the focus of alternative education for the young disadvantaged should be redefined. Moreover, it is suggested that concerted and serious effort should be directed to improving the quality and effectiveness of the mainstream system so as to reduce school wastage. Redundant alternative programmes could then be reduced as the internal efficiency of regular school is increased. Alternative education should be targeted on those who have difficulty to access regular school, such as in isolated communities, and contain both basic literacy plus other components of education which could help develop resilience.
