It is a certification of learning for Out-of-School Youth and Adults aged 15 years old and above, who are unable to avail of the formal school system, or who have dropped out of formal elementary or secondary education.

• A&E Curriculum Framework – the A&E System is built around a truly nonformal education curriculum known as the ALS A&E Curriculum Framework which is based on the new national definition of functional literacy. The five learning strands of the ALS A&E Curriculum Framework which are: Communication Skills; Problem Solving and Critical Thinking; Sustainable Use of Resources/ Productivity; Development of Self and A Sense of Community; and Expanding One’s World Vision.
• ALS A&E Learning Materials – the ALS A&E Learning Support Delivery System (LSDS) use learning materials which consist of 535 print modules with 47 audio and 3 VHS tapes. These materials are tailored-fit to address the skills and competencies in the ALS A&E Curriculum Framework.
• ALS A&E Learning Support Delivery System (LSDS) – is designed to provide learners a range of alternative pathways in order that they may continue their learning outside of the formal system and upgrade their skills and competencies in preparation for taking the ALS A&E Test.
• ALS Assessment and Certification – is a system of certification through successful completion of ALS A&E Test at two learning levels – Elementary and Secondary. The test in both levels are standardized paper and pencil-based tests and composition writing. The test items are based on the expected learning outcomes stated in the five learning strands of the ALS A&E Curriculum Framework. It is given free to LSDS and BP-OSA learners, OSY and Adults and previous test takers. Successful passers of said test will have to access to counseling for advice regarding options and possible pathways whether to re-enter/return to or shuffle from the ALS System to the formal school system or they may choose to enter the world of work.

Project: Balik-Paaralan Para sa Out-of-School Adults (BO-OSA) project – is an alternative learning program whose objective is to give opportunities to Out-of-School and Adults to finish secondary level education. A qualifier for this program must be at least 12 years old and may include elementary graduate or drop-out, secondary drop-out, passer or non-passer of the ALS A&E Test in the elementary or a PEPT passer in the elementary level. Secondary level teachers of participating secondary schools in Region I to XII and in Caraga, CAR and NCR handle the BO-OSA learning sessions.

By: Victor R. Lazaro | Teacher III | DALSC | ORION, BATAAN