A total of 262 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the Mimaropa region took the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test at designated on-site centers, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) reported Monday.
Of the examinees, 193 took the junior high school level while 69 sat for the elementary test across Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
BJMP Mimaropa spokesperson JO3 Joefrie Anglo said the program aims to give PDLs the chance to continue their education, develop technical-vocational skills, and prepare for meaningful employment upon release.
“Education knows no bars. Each PDL taking this test is choosing to rise above their past, embrace learning, and build a future full of hope and opportunity,” Anglo said in a news release.
He added that initiatives like the ALS A&E Test reflect the agency’s commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration, ensuring that PDLs are equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead productive lives once they return to their communities.
The ALS program, a DepEd initiative, allows learners who were unable to complete formal schooling to earn elementary and secondary level certifications, providing pathways to higher education or vocational training. (PNA)
