ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM. Department of Education personnel distribute the modules for students enrolled under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in this undated photo. A total of 1,722 ALS students recently started their classes in 23 public high schools in Central Luzon. (Photo courtesy of DepEd-3) CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga - A total of 23 public high schools in Central Luzon have piloted the Alternative Learning System (ALS) with some 1,722 senior high school (SHS) students starting to attend their classes. Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director May Eclar said in a social media post on Tuesday the schools opened the program through a blended learning system on the last week of November. Through the DepEd Order 13, series 2019 (Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Enhanced Alternative Learning System 2.0), the department mandated the inclusion of the SHS level in the ALS program, which is equivalent to Grades 11 and 12 in the formal education system. "It ensures that all ALS learners will be equipped with competencies required for employment, entrepreneurship, middle-level skills, and tertiary education," Eclar said. Republic Act 11510 or the Alternative Learning System Act that was passed in December 2020, emphasized that Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test Elementary level passers are qualified to enroll in Junior High School (JHS); A&E Test JHS level passers are qualified to enroll in Senior High School (SHS) or in selected technical vocational education and training programs through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); and A&E Test SHS level passers are qualified to enroll in higher education, or in technical vocational education and training programs through TESDA. "As a legacy program of the current administration, ALS is part of DepEd's commitment that education continues for Filipino out-of-school children in special circumstances, youth, and adults (OSCYA) amid and beyond the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic," Eclar said. The educational institutions offering ALS-SHS in the region include the Dipaculao National High School in Aurora; Bataan National High School-SHS; and Guiguinto Technical Vocational High School, Iluminada National High School, Prenza National High School, and San Rafael National High School in Bulacan; Bongabon National High School, Cabiao National High School, Dr. Ramon D. Santos National High School, Exequiel R. Lina National High School, General Tinio National High School, Nueva Ecija High School, Rizal National High School, San Ricardo National High School, Sta. Rosa National High School, Talabutab Norte National High School, Talavera National High School, and Vega National High School in Nueva Ecija; San Matias National High School in Pampanga; Tarlac National High School; and Subic National High School in Zambales. (PNA) }