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By Nora O. Gamolo, Senior Desk Editor
“One of our challenges is reaching the
unschooled, the 2.2 million 6 to 11 years old, and 3.4 million aged
12 to 15 years old, and the 5.6 million not in school,” said
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.
He described the situation of out-of-school
youths during the Education Summit held in January this way: “They
are in the streets, in high-risk but low-paying jobs. Wherever they
are, or whatever they do, they are prone to all forms of human
trafficking and exploitation.”
He added, “We need to reckon with the 11.6
million Filipinos who have never attended schools and are,
therefore, illiterates. It is highly probable that the 5.6 million
school-aged population are part of this 11.6 million. We need to
muster all support to get this group to seek basic education,
whether formal, informal or non-formal, so that we do not deprive
them of life’s opportunities.”
Who comprise the unschooled and those whose
schooling is under serious threat such that they could possibly
leave school anytime?
“They are the ones who encounter difficult
circumstances in life so that their stay in school is so fragile
that they face the risk of falling out, sooner or later,” said the
Education secretary.
The Education department has initiated a
non-formal education program to reach out to adults who dropped out
when they were younger but now wish to complete their schooling.
Officials said they become useful to the unschooled youths to absorb
knowledge from.
All non-formal education sessions are
facilitated by a trained teacher who helps prepare the adult
students for tedious tests that will determine if they can move on
to a higher stage of learning, qualify for a job later, or both.
To reach out to all kinds of students,
especially those outside the formal educational system, the
Department of Education annually administers the Accreditation and
Equivalency Test and the Philippine Educational Placement Test.
The Accreditation and Equivalency Test is
designed for out-of-school youths, dropouts, and adult illiterates.
The test assesses the learners’ knowledge of basic life skills and
functional literacy. Functional literacy covers concepts and issues
that these non-traditional students encounter in day-to-day
situations.
Accreditation and equivalency comprises the
following learning areas: kasanayang pangkomunikasyon sa Filipino
(Filipino communication skills), kasanayang pangkomunikasyon sa
Ingles, numerasi at pang-agham (skills for communication in English,
numbers and science), kabuhayan at likas na yaman (livelihood and
natural resources), and pagpapalawak ng pananaw (broadening one’s
outlook). The test also gauges critical learning and problem-solving
skills.
Examinees should be at least 11 years old for
the elementary level and at least 15 years old for the secondary
level.
The Philippine Educational Placement Test,
meanwhile, is open to dropouts who have been out of school for at
least two years. The test aims to get these people back into the
formal school system and is designed for learners whose ages do not
correspond to their grade or year level.
“These efforts are in line with our goal to
provide quality education for all,” Lapus said. “We are working
hard to bring education to where the learners are.”
Students who quit school because of unexpected
circumstances are advised to take the Philippine Educational
Placement Test to resume formal schooling. Those who are over-aged
may take the test to place them in the grade or year level of their
age.
Accreditation and equivalency examinees who pass
the test receive a diploma, which is equal to that from formal
learning institutions.
“We highly encourage our out-of-school
citizens to avail themselves of these opportunities for
out-of-school learning,” Lapus said. “Not having been able to
finish school should not deter them from pursuing various job
opportunities,” he added.
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