CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Department of Education (DepEd) has piloted the Alternative Learning System-Senior High School (ALS-SHS) Program in Central Luzon with about 1,722 students attending classes.
Regional Director May Eclar explained that the agency mandated the inclusion of SHS level in the ALS Program, which is equivalent to Grades 11 and 12, in the formal education system pursuant to DepEd Order No. 13, series of 2019.
“It ensures that all ALS learners will be equipped with competencies required for employment, entrepreneurship, middle-level skills, and tertiary education,” she said.
This is further strengthened with the passage of Republic Act 11510 otherwise known as the ALS Act in December 2020, where it is emphasized that Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test Elementary level passers are qualified to enroll in Junior High School (JHS); A&E Test JHS level passers are qualified to enroll in Senior High School (SHS) or in selected technical vocational education and training programs through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); and A&E Test SHS level passers are qualified to enroll in higher education (subject to the requirements set by higher education institutions), or in technical vocational education and training programs through TESDA.
“As a legacy program of the current administration, ALS is part of DepEd’s commitment that education continues for Filipino out-of-school children in special circumstances, youth, and adults amid and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic,” Eclar stressed.
Institutions now offering ALS-SHS include Dipaculao National High School in Aurora; Bataan National High School-SHS; and Guiguinto Technical Vocational High School, Iluminada National High School, Prenza National High School, and San Rafael National High School in Bulacan.
Also, Bongabon National High School, Cabiao National High School, Dr. Ramon D. Santos National High School, Exequiel R. Lina National High School, General Tinio National High School, Nueva Ecija High School, Rizal National High School, San Ricardo National High School, Sta. Rosa National High School, Talabutab Norte National High School, Talavera National High School, and Vega National High School in Nueva Ecija; San Matias National High School in Pampanga; Tarlac National High School; and Subic National High School in Zambales.