Dropouts given chance to finally have diplomas

People who have not finished their elementary or high school studies now have the opportunity to obtain diplomas in these academic levels.

All they have to do is pass the Accreditation and Equivalency Test that is being given throughout the Visayas this Sunday, with the tests in Cebu being conducted at the Zapatera Elementary School.

About 2,000 examinees from Cebu have listed up for the test this Sunday. These examinees are required to bring valid IDs, their birth certificates, and 1x1 pictures.

The test is a component of the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education which aims to give a chance to those who did not finish school to find the level of their knowhow and be granted the corresponding certificate or diploma.

Meanwhile, the city government of Cebu,  in coordination with the DepEd, is also conducting a similar version of the test in October and has prepared modules for use in review classes to be conducted in 10 pilots areas in the city.

These 10 pilot areas are barangays Talamban, Mabolo, Duljo Fatima, Guadalupe, Basak San Nicolas, Carreta, Mambaling, Sudlon I and II, and Guba.

Cebu City councilor Gerardo Carillo said the review modules are free of charge and can be obtained from the DepEd and the city government. There are about 500 titles in these modules that those wishing to take the October test can review.

Those who want to take the elementary test must be 11 years old and above while those for high school must be at least 15 years old.

Carillo said those who pass the test may move on to the Academic Focused Bridging Program of the education department as a possible opportunity to take tertiary education.

The modules for the ASL program were put together by experts from the top schools in the country, including Ateneo and the U.P.

The exams are based on international standards. — Joeberth Ocao/JST