Registration for the October 16 Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) is now open.

According to DepEd-CAR ALS division chief Dr. Gloria Felipe, registration for the October A&E Test opened on June 20 and will continue up to July 30. It is open to all elementary dropouts who are at least 11 years old on or before the testing date; secondary dropouts who are at least 15 years old on or before the testing date and out of school youths (OSYs), as well as adults who have not yet finished elementary or secondary education.

Felipe also affirmed that non-passers of previous ALS A&E test and learners or completers of ALS programs are also welcome to register for them to qualify for taking this year’s exam, provided that they are at least 11 years old and above – for the elementary level test and 15 years old and above – for the secondary level.

The ALS A&E is a certification of learning for OSYs and adults that is comparable to an elementary and secondary education of the formal school system. Elementary level A&E test passers will be given certification by DepEd and will be eligible for enrollment in high school education and at the same time Secondary Level A&E Test passers will be given certification by DepEd and will be eligible to enroll in any college course (given they pass the required entrance exams) or apply for work that requires a minimum requirement of high school diploma.

In 2010, DepEd-CAR got an ALS A&E passing rate of 30.29 percent or 8.94 percent improvement compared to that of 2009 wherein 55 examinees passed the elementary level exam and 1,169 passed the secondary level exam.

Designated registration and testing areas for the region include Abra National High School (HS) in Abra; Conner Central School, Sipa National HS – Santa Marcela and Pedro Bunot Central School – Calanasan, in Apayao; Lagawe Central School in Ifugao; Tabuk National HS in Kalinga; Mountain Province General Comprehensive HS in Bontoc; Quezon Elementary School in Baguio City, and Benguet National HS – La Trinidad, Loo National HS – Buguias in Benguet. A testing center will also be set up at the provincial jail in La Trinidad exclusively for inmates.

For more details and information, the public can call the DepEd-CAR ALS Division Office at tel. no.             (074) 422-51-87       or visit the nearest DepEd or ALS Provincial offices in your respective areas. *(JDP/LD-PIA CAR)