MANILA, Sept. 19 (PNA) — Giving hope to dropouts in elementary and secondary schools, out-of-school youths, non-readers, working Filipinos and even senior citizens through the provision of a more accessible education,the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Test (ALS A&E) is poised to give another chance to a new set of exam takers as it opens its registration until September 30.
The examination period will take place in November and December.
According to its issued Memorandum No. 99, series of 2014, the DepEd through the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) will administer the said examination to elementary and high school students from 219 schools divisions nationwide.
The examinees are divided into four waves. The first wave coming from Regions 9,10,11,12, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be having their test on November 23. The second wave from Regions 5,6,7, and 8 is on November 30; third wave from Regions 1,2,3, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) on December 7; and fourth wave from regions 4-A (CALABARZON), 4-B (MIMAROPA), and National Capital Region (NCR) on December 14.
The registration period has started on September 1 and will end on September 30. The memorandum stated that exam takers may register in the duly designated Registration and Testing center identified by their respective Schools Division Superintendents (SDSs).
Qualified registrants are the following: elementary dropouts at least 11 years old on or before the day of the test; high school dropouts at least 15 years old on or before the day of the test; non-passers of previous ALS A&E test/s; learners or completers of the ALS programs; and students presently enrolled in the formal school system provided that he/she is two years older than the regular school age (13 years old for elementary level and 17 years old for the secondary level).
The DepEd has also provided the following list of requirements needed upon registration: latest 2″x2″ ID photos; original and photocopy of any of the following (valid driver’s license, valid passport, voter’s ID, SSS/GSIS ID, Postal ID or NBI clearance).
However, in case the registrant is not able to present the aforementioned requirements, he or she may submit a photocopy and present an original copy of any of the following documents: authenticated birth certificate; latest report card (form 138/form 137); or Barangay certification with photo.
The A&E test for Elementary level lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes while the test for the Secondary level takes four hours and 15 minutes. The official list of testing centers will be posted on DepEd’s website (www.deped.gov.ph), and can be accessed by clicking the A&E logo found on the right side of the DepEd homepage.
The DepEd has reiterated that test registration, administration, certificate of rating and diploma are free of charge and that no payment shall be collected by anyone involved in the A&E processes.
The tentative date for the release of test results is on April 2015.
February this year, the DepEd announced that out of the 24,998 applicants for the elementary level who applied last year, 6,135 passed. In the secondary level, 72,076 passers have been declared out of 221,598 who took the exam.
Exam passers holding an ALS A&E certificate may pursue further formal education and career growth, according to DepEd Secretary Bro Armin Luistro. The program aims to deliver free education to the marginalized sector through sets of modules, varying schedules, and one-on-one discussions with the facilitator if needed.
As a ladderized, modular non-formal education program in the country, the ALS is considered as an alternative to the regular classroom studies by only requiring the students to choose schedules according to their choice and availability. (PNA)