Accept ALS graduates, HEIs urged

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has urged higher education institutions (HEIs) to accept the applications of students who completed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

CHED officer-in-charge J. Prospero de Vera last week signed a memorandum allowing ALS completers who passed the accreditation and equivalency test for the high school level to proceed to college.

It noted a previous DepEd order that the ALS still use the old high school curriculum, exempting them from the requirement to take senior high school before proceeding to college.

Those covered by the order are passers of the equivalency tests last November and March, as well as the upcoming test next year.

The students may be accepted as first year students under the new higher education curricula, “subject to admission policies and requirements of the higher education institution,” he said.

The admitting HEIs may also require the students to take part in bridging programs to ensure their readiness to the new curriculum.

“Although classes may have already started in June, the commission encourages ALS passers to check out HEIs that have shifted their academic calendars to August or consider other options such as enrolling in skills development programs,” CHED said.

It also noted that the students may take Grade 11 in any recognized senior high school and choose a specific field of interest.