DepEd test offers fresh hope for dropouts

A dropout now has a chance to graduate from high school or the elementary grade under the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) program.

One has to take the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) test designed to measure his or her competency to finish formal elementary or secondary education.

Passers of this test are given a certificate and diploma (which bears the seal and signature of the department secretary), certifying their competency as comparable to graduates of the formal school system. They can then enroll in high school (for elementary level passers) and in college (for secondary level passers).

Coming from a family in the depressed area, 10-year-old Cheradie Fortes was diagnosed with leukemia while she was in the fourth grade.

She did not want to stop going to school but had difficulties because of the monthly chemotherapy she had to undergo at the National Children’s Hospital.

After six years, her doctor declared her leukemia-free. Now 16 years old, Cheradie was ashamed to go back to fourth grade. She sought the help of The STAR’s ABAKADAmayan, one of the service providers of ALS, took the A&E test and passed.

Cheradie is currently enrolled in college and working part-time as well.

Those who did not pass previous A&E tests can take it again.

Modules are especially prepared by the Bureau of ALS, headed by Carolina Guerrero, to help qualified test-takers to review English, Math, Sibika at Kultura, Science and Pilipino subjects and composition writing.

A&E exams will be held on Oct. 5 in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCSKSARGEN Region, Caraga Region and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Oct. 12, Bicol Region, Western Visayas and Central Visayas; Oct. 19, Ilocos Regions, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera Autonomous Region; and Oct. 26, Calabarzon, Mimaropa Region and Metro Manila.

Interested parties may call 635-5188 or 635-5193.