Bangkok, 6 February 2012. The Philippine Embassy is pleased to inform Filipino families in Thailand that officials from the Philippine Department of Education will be administering the ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM ACCREDITATION & EQUIVALENCY (ALS A&E) TEST IN BANGKOK at the Embassy conference room on 19 February 2012, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

What is the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Test?  What are the benefits of passing it?

The ALS A&E Test, formerly the Non-formal Education A&E Test, is one of the four components of the ALS A&E (then NFE A&E) system. Those who pass it will receive a certification of learning achievement signed by the Secretary of the Philippine Department of Education at two learning levels – Elementary and Secondary – that is comparable to having attended formal schooling in the Philippines. Thus, with the certificate, a test passer can --

• enroll in post secondary courses (technical/vocational, two/four/five-year course) at private colleges and universities and government-owned or controlled educational institutions in the Philippines;

• access  skills training programs offered by the MFI Foundation Inc (MFI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); and

• acquire civil service eligibility for Philippine government employment positions.

Who will administer the ALS A&E Test in Bangkok?

The test will be administered by an official examiner/trainer from the Bureau of Alternatives Learning System (BALS) of the Department of Education of the Philippines.

The ALS A&E Tests in both levels are standardized paper and pencil-based tests and use multiple-choice test and composition writing.
 

Who may take the test?

Filipinos at least 11 years old (for elementary level test) and at least 15 years old (for the secondary level test). They may include:

_ out-of-School Youth and adults;
_ elementary and secondary school drop-outs/leavers;
_ industry-based workers, housewives, maids, factory workers, drivers;
_ members of indigenous cultural communities; and
_ persons with disabilities or who are physically challenged.

How may one register for the A&E Test?

Registration will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Philippine Embassy conference room. Prospective test-takers can also pre-register by calling 086-3222716/ 085-3598223. 

All prospective test takers shall accomplish a registration form and provide any of the following documents as proof of their identity:

• Valid Philippine passport; and
• Two 1"x1" copies of their photo taken within the last six (6) months.

The registrants shall submit the form, together with the supporting documents, to the test registration officer, but retain the lower portion of the registration form for presentation to the Examiner on the day of the test.

When is the test?

The A&E Test in Bangkok will be held at the Philippine Embassy conference room on 19 February 2012, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

For questions or queries, please call:

Mrs. Sylvia Reyes     Ms. Daye Del Mundo-Escanlar
Cultural Officer    Tel. No. 0853598223
Philippine Embassy    A&E Test Coordinator in Bangkok
Tel. No. 02 259-0139 up to 40

The A&E Test is a project of the ARK-Bangkok Schoolhouse and Ministry Centre with the support of the Philippine Embassy and the Bureau of the Alternative Learning System (BALS) of the Department of Education of the Philippines.