Correspondent

EDUCATION Secretary Jesli Lapus explained on Monday that the Alternative Learning System (ALS) is not a conventional education program although it is equivalent to regularly acquired school education.

Lapus made the reaction after boxing champ Emmanuel Pacquiao was named as the Department of Education’s Ambassador for the ALS and People’s Champ for Education.

Lapus said that the ALS program is not designed to measure a person’s knowledge in three major subjects —Mathematics, Science and English—or determine the general aptitude of an individual but more on measuring functional literacy skills outside of formal schooling.

He added that the decision of naming Pacquiao as ambassador for ALS education was arrived at when the boxer displayed his determination to pursue and finish his education after he took and passed the Accreditation and Equivalency Test under the ALS program. 

The AET is being conducted by the DepEd’s Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) for individuals who have dropped out of formal school but who wish to complete their unfinished elementary and high school education.

On Thursday, DepEd officials led by Lapus presented to Pacquiao a certificate which is equivalent to a high school diploma in the formal school system, making him eligible for college enrollment.

Pacquiao, a first year high school dropout, took the AET on February 4 at the Ireneo Santiago National High School in General Santos City, his home province, together with his younger brother, Bobby.

He is now qualified to pursue college education after obtaining the certificate and even expressed his desire to finish college and even higher education claiming that he may take political science leading to a law degree or he may settle for a management course.

He added that he may enroll at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Lapus said Pacquiao passed the examination with flying colors, scoring high in the essay test which deals in family relations. That showed his above average functional literacy, Lapus said.

“Manny is an excellent model for all out-of-school children, youth and adults who are determined to learn and are able to gain functional literacy skills outside of formal schooling,” Lapus said.

“His desire to complete his high school education despite his age and stature through alternative forms of education and learning is truly very admirable,” Lapus added.

IN an apparent attempt to cushion the impact of the Melo Commission report and the findings of UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston pointing to the military as responsible for the series of extrajudicial killings, the Armed Forces presented three former member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), who it said could bolster its earlier claim that it was the NPA that should be blamed for the killings.

FORMER President Joseph Estrada on Monday reiterated his request to the Sandiganbyan’s Special Division to modify his custodial arrangement by allowing his transfer and stay in his house in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, at least during the election period so that he could help the Genuine Opposition (GO).

AN opposition legislator on Monday expressed outrage over the reported plan of controversial figures closely associated with the administration to run for seats in the House of Representatives, charging that Malacañang is out to convert the legislature into a “den of cheaters, liars, thieves and killers.”

EDUCATION Secretary Jesli Lapus explained on Monday that the Alternative Learning System (ALS) is not a conventional education program although it is equivalent to regularly acquired school education.