PRESS RELEASE

Bangkok, 20 February 2012.  The Embassy, in collaboration with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) and the ARK Bangkok Schoolhouse and Ministry Centre, launched the DepEd’s Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) Test in Bangkok on 18 February.  It was the maiden launch of the A & E Test in Thailand and, in fact, in the ASEAN region. The ARK Bangkok Schoolhouse and Ministry Centre is a non-profit, faith-based, educational resource center offering affordable, quality Christian education to all Filipino families living in Bangkok.

Almost a year to the day, ARK Bangkok Schoolhouse, with the support of the Embassy, lobbied the DepEd to bring the A & E Test to Thailand.  The beneficiaries of the Test are Filipino children, out-of-school youth and adults who have plans of eventually going back to the Philippines to complete either their secondary or college education there.

Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Linglingay F. Lacanlale presided over the opening ceremony of the A & E Test on 18 February 2012. A DepEd official administered the actual test at the Embassy on 19 February 2012. There were 40 test-takers.  The results are expected to be released in April.  Those who pass the test will get a certificate which bears the signature of the Secretary of the Department of Education. The certificate will allow them to --

- enroll in post secondary courses (technical / vocational, two / four / five-year course) of the CHED (for private colleges and universities) and PASUC (for government owned / controlled) member institutions;
- access MFI (formerly, Meralco Foundation, Inc.) and TESDA skills training programs; and
- acquire eligibility for government employment positions.

The next phase will be the introduction of the DepEd’s ALS curriculum in Thailand. ARK Bangkok Schoolhouse will initially serve as the main facilitator and is planning to formally introduce the curriculum for School Year 2012-2013.  This will serve as an alternative for Filipino families to have their children finally get education with Filipino content that is officially sanctioned by the DepEd.

 
Ambassador Linglingay F. Lacanlale welcomes parents and delivers her remarks at the launching of the ALS A & E Test in Bangkok.

 
Ms. Marithel Bacsa of the DepEd BALS explains the mechanics of the A & E Test.

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