THE DEPARMENT of Education in Central Luzon said that 1,722 students joined the alternative learning system-senior high school program.

DepEd-Central Luzon Regional Director May Eclar said those in Grades 11 and 12 should be included in the ALS program to ensure that they will be equipped with competencies required for employment, entrepreneurship, middle-level skills and tertiary education.

“The ALS is part of the DepEd’s commitment that education continues for Filipino out-of-school children in special circumstances, youth and adults amid and beyond the Covid19 pandemic,” Eclar said.

The schools that will offer the ALS-SHS in the region are Dipaculao National High School in Aurora;  Bataan National High School-SHS; Guiguinto Technical Vocational High School, Iluminada National High School, Prenza National High School and San Rafael National High School in Bulacan.

It will also be offered in Nueva Ecija schools namely 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.

San Matias National High School in Pampanga, Tarlac National High School, and Subic National High School in Zambales will also offer ALS-SHS.

The inclusion of the SHS in ALS is pursuant to DepEd Order 13, series of 2019.