DepEd holds competency exams

CEBU, Philippines – Students that have not completed formal elementary or secondary education may have their competencies assessed through the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Test.

The Bureau of Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education will hold the examination come October. A&E Test registration, administration and certification are free but an applicant must register prior to the testing dates on October 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Registration started last July 3 and will end on July 31 at designated Registration and Testing Centers in 199 divisions nationwide, 19 of which are in Central Visayas.

In Cebu, testing centers include the Consolacion National High School, Dalaguete NHS, Zapatera Elementary School, Durano Memorial NHS, Marigondon NHS, Cansojong NHS, Luray II NHS, Mandaue City Comprehensive NHS, Binabag NHS and Carcar City NHS.

Unemployed or underemployed individuals, out-of-school youth, formal school leavers or drop-outs, persons with physical disabilities, inmates, rebel returnees, members of cultural minorities or the indigenous people, and industry based workers, housewives among others may avail of the examination. Requirements for registration include two 1x1 recent photo and any proof of identification either birth certificate, company ID, postal or voter’s ID, driver’s license and passport.

Those who will pass the elementary level examination would then get the chance to proceed to high school while those who will pass the secondary examination would be permitted to enroll in post-secondary courses like vocational courses or up to five-year courses of the Commission on Higher Education.

Passers will also be given the opportunity to acquire eligibility to government employment positions.