ANGELES CITY -- The North District of the Department of Education (DepEd) in this city has started accepting enrollees for the 2010 Alternative Learning System (formerly non-formal education).
Some 65 out-of-school youths have already enrolled in the ALS high school class and four in the elementary class, said Elvie Panlilio, North District ALS coordinator.
Classes for the ALS, slated from January to October, will be held thrice a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) or weekends at the DepEd Division Office in Barangay Pulungbulu and Dr. Clemente N. Dayrit Elementary School in Barangay Lourdes Sur East.
The ALS is a special education program for elementary and secondary dropouts. It is implemented and subsidized by the government in a bid to lessen the number of illiterate Filipinos.
Elementary dropouts who will pass the examination after the ALS class may enroll for high school.
On the other hand, high school dropouts who will pass the test after undergoing the ALS class may enroll in college.
Salapungan barangay chairman Robert Yeen lauded the DepEd project, saying it would greatly help the youth who wants to study but cannot afford the high cost of education.
Yeen said some of the ALS students are from Barangay Salapungan.
According to him, the barangay council supports the students in terms of jeepney fares and snacks.
DepEd officials here are advising the public to call at 888-0582, 0939 158-0289 (Antonina Lacanlale) and 0917-478-9346 for any concerns regarding the program.