GPFF-Alternative Learning System Prepares Filipino Learners for National Accreditation and Equivalency Test

0	GPFF-ALS provides opportunity for all: A young mother attends a session with her child while Mr. Al Rhea, an Instructional Manager closely monitors her learning progress.

One hundred fifty two learners, many from disadvantaged backgrounds  attended the GPFF Philippines-Alternative Learning System (GPFF-ALS) training at four community learning sites in Metro Manila in preparation for the National  ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Test on October 24, 2011.

The Accreditation and Equivalency Test provides certification of learning achievement on two levels, Elementary and Secondary, which is comparable to testing levels at regular school systems. The standardized "paper-and-pencil"-based tests use multiple-choice and composition writing.

After receiving certification from the Department of Education, participants for Elementary Level are then eligible for enrollment in high school education, while those certified at the Secondary Level are eligible to enroll in any college course (after passing required entrance exams) or to apply for work that requires a minimum of a high school diploma.

Top: Three months before the nationwide Accreditation  and  Equivalency  test, learners focus on their assigned activities. Below:  Former world boxing champion and current Congressman Manny Pacquiao is a graduate of the Alternative Learning System.

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Preparations for the national test at the community learning sites included assigned activities and tests on specific sets of modules, with progress closely monitored by Heads from the Department of Education’s Bureau of Alternative Learning System, including Dr. Virginia Silvestre (Chief, ALS Division), Dr. Felicino Trongco (Asst. Chief, ALS Division) and Dr. Teresita Guevarra (Regional Education Supervisor), with further oversight from Instructional Managers at the learning site.

At the sites in Quezon City, Malabon City and Caloocan City, the participants were mostly wives and mothers working at home, out-of-school youths, elementary and secondary school dropouts and persons with disabilities. The majority also live below the poverty line, predominantly coming from depressed, disadvantaged and underserved communities.

One successful and well-known participant and Global Peace Festival supporter is former world boxing champion and now Congressman Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao. A first-year high school dropout, he was given a high school diploma by Department of Education,  making him eligible to pursue college. From then, he was named as the Department of Education’s Ambassador for the Alternative Learning System and People’s Champ for Education.

—Reported by GPF Philippines