Inmates take DepEd’s A&E exam hoping to enrol in HS, college courses

Inmates in the Manila City Jail in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Sunday took an accreditation and equivalency exam with the hope to be able to enrol in high school and college courses later.

A total of 877 inmates from the jail's Male Dormitory took the Alternative Learning System's (ALS) Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) exam, conducted by the Department of Education.

According to DepEd's Department Memorandum No. 164, series 2017, those eligible to take the exam are those studying under the ALS or other non-formal education programs; those who finished the 2016 ALS Program; those who finished the ALS Program in the past but did not pass the earlier A&E Tests; those who finished the ALS Program but had not yet taken the A&E Test; out-of-school children and youth ready to take the test; and adults who need a Certificate of Learning.

DepEd will hold another round of tests next Sunday, November 26.

The DepEd describes the Alternative Learning System as a "parallel learning system" that can serve as a substitute for those who are unable to access formal education in schools. — BM, GMA News