ALS Enrollment Guide: Alternative Learning System in the Philippines

TL;DR: The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a free DepEd program for out-of-school youth and adults who want to complete their basic education outside the traditional classroom. It is free by law — Section 20 of Republic Act 11510 bars the collection of "all kinds of fees, costs or charges," and DepEd Memorandum No. 100, s. 2025 says no payment may be collected for the A&E Test either. You can enroll at any ALS Community Learning Center — no upper age limit, no tuition, no entrance exam. Passing the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) process earns you a certificate equivalent to an elementary or junior high school diploma. As of DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026, ALS runs on a Revised ALS Curriculum with Recognition of Prior Learning and micro-certification built in.

Introduction

Not everyone follows the traditional path through the Philippine education system. Some students drop out due to poverty, family responsibilities, or personal challenges. Others missed the window for formal schooling entirely. For millions of Filipinos, the Alternative Learning System (ALS) offers a second chance — a legitimate, government-backed pathway to complete basic education and open doors to college, TESDA programs, and better employment.

ALS is one of the most important but least understood programs of the Department of Education. It is completely free, flexible, and designed for learners of all ages. Whether you are a 16-year-old who dropped out of high school, a 35-year-old mother who never finished elementary, or a working adult who wants a high school equivalency certificate, ALS has a program for you. This guide covers everything: what ALS is, who qualifies, how to enroll, what the learning process looks like, and what happens after you pass.

What Is the Alternative Learning System?

The Alternative Learning System is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides opportunities for out-of-school children, youth, and adults to develop basic literacy skills and complete basic education outside of formal school settings. It is mandated by Republic Act 11510, also known as the Alternative Learning System Act, signed into law in December 2020.

ALS is not a remedial class or a tutoring program. It is a complete, standards-based education program with its own curriculum, learning materials, and certification system. ALS graduates are recognized by DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and employers.

DepEd's own definition is worth quoting, because it explains the word "parallel": ALS is "a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides opportunities for out-of-school youth and adult (OSYA) learners to develop basic and functional literacy skills, and to access equivalent pathways to complete basic education." It is not a lesser version of school. It is a second, equally valid route to the same credential, using "a contextualized non-formal curriculum which is substantially aligned with the K to 12 Curriculum for Basic Education of the formal school system, but it is not the mirror image of the formal school curriculum."

The Legal Basis: RA 11510, ALS 2.0, and DepEd Order 001, s. 2026

Three documents govern ALS today, and knowing their names makes it much easier to check anything a school, agency, or "ALS center" tells you.

If you have read older ALS guides, this is the part that has changed. DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 is the current rulebook. It states that "Beginning SY 2026-2027, all SDOs shall implement the Revised ALS Curriculum for Basic Literacy Program (BLP), Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Elementary, and A&E Junior High School programs." Existing ALS Senior High School classes continue on the MELCs-based or hybrid SHS curriculum until a strengthened ALS SHS curriculum is issued separately.

Four features of the current order matter to you as a learner:

• Individual Learning Agreement (ILA). You and your ALS Implementer agree, in writing, on the competencies you will study and the outputs you will produce within a set time.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Knowledge and skills you already have from work, training, or community involvement can be identified, assessed, and validated instead of re-taught.
• Mastery over seat time. The order is explicit: "Completion of learning competencies shall be based on demonstrated mastery, not on the duration of participation in learning sessions."
• Micro-certification. Specific competencies can be certified on their own as a credential "for purposes of job application, recruitment and/or selection," with separate guidelines to follow.

RA 11510 also introduced two shorter programs alongside the A&E route: the Functional Education and Literacy Program (FELP), short non-formal courses that upgrade a targeted set of skills, and the Academic-Focused Bridging Program (AFBP), for A&E secondary passers who want to prepare for the academic demands of senior high school, college, or post-secondary vocational training.

Key Features of ALS

• Free of charge — No tuition, no enrollment fees, no hidden costs
• Flexible schedule — Classes can be held during weekdays, weekends, or evenings
• Community-based — Learning sessions happen in barangay halls, community centers, churches, libraries, or even under a tree
• Self-paced — Learners progress at their own speed, with completion based on demonstrated mastery rather than time spent in sessions, guided by ALS teachers (called Instructional Managers or Mobile Teachers)
• No upper age limit — the only fixed floors are for the A&E Test itself: at least 12 years old for the A&E Elementary level and at least 16 years old for the A&E Junior High School level, on or before examination day, per DepEd Memorandum No. 100, s. 2025

ALS Is Free — and Anyone Charging You for It Is Wrong

This deserves its own section, because it is the single most common way ALS learners get taken advantage of.

Section 20 of Republic Act 11510 states: "All DepEd ALS programs are free of charge and collection of all kinds of fees, costs or charges shall not be allowed." That is the law, not a policy that a center can waive.

DepEd repeats it at every level:

• Classes. DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 states plainly: "No fees shall be collected in the implementation of ALS program in compliance with Section 20 of RA 11510."
• The A&E Test. DepEd Memorandum No. 100, s. 2025 states: "No payment shall be collected for the A&E Test Registration, Administration, and issuance of the COR" — the Certificate of Rating being your official result document.
• Learning materials. ALS modules are provided by DepEd at no cost to the learner.

So there is no legitimate ALS enrolment fee, no A&E "registration fee," no "processing fee" for your certificate, and no "review fee" charged by a DepEd ALS class. If someone asks you for money for any of these, that is a red flag — report it to your Schools Division Office ALS focal person or your DepEd Regional Office. The same logic applies in formal public schools under DepEd's no collection policy.

One nuance worth understanding: private and NGO ALS providers exist and are legitimate, but they must be recognised. RA 11510 requires DepEd to build a system of recognition and monitoring of ALS providers, and DepEd Order No. 007, s. 2025 sets out the "Guidelines on the Mandatory Recognition of Implementing Alternative Learning System Providers." DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 also covers "all CLCs, whether school-based or community-based, including those operated by public and private schools, non-government organizations, and other recognized ALS implementing partners," as well as SUCs and LUCs that implement ALS. Before you hand over anything to a private "ALS center," ask your Schools Division Office whether that provider is recognised — and remember that recognition does not create a right to charge you for a DepEd ALS program.

Separately, a paid private review center or a paid online "equivalency course" is not ALS. It may be a lawful business, but it is not the government program, it does not enrol you in the Learner Information System, and it cannot issue you an A&E certificate. Only DepEd does that. If you want a legitimate flexible option, start with our guides to ALS requirements and ALS online classes.

Who Is ALS For?

ALS serves a wide range of learners:

• Out-of-school youth (OSY) — Young people aged 15-30 who are not enrolled in any formal school
• Out-of-school adults — Adults who never completed basic education
• School dropouts — Students who left formal school for any reason
• Working youth and adults — People who cannot attend traditional school due to work schedules
• Indigenous peoples — Community members in areas without access to formal schools
• Persons deprived of liberty (PDL) — Inmates in correctional facilities
• Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) — Through ALS programs offered by Philippine embassies and consulates
• Persons with disabilities — ALS accommodates learners with special needs

ALS Programs and Levels

ALS offers several programs depending on the learner's educational background:

1. Basic Literacy Program (BLP)

For learners who cannot read, write, or compute. This program teaches foundational literacy and numeracy skills. After completing BLP, learners can proceed to the A&E Elementary Level.

2. Accreditation and Equivalency — Elementary Level

• For learners who have some elementary education but did not complete it
• Minimum age to sit the A&E Test: 12 years old on or before examination day
• Equivalent to Key Stage 2 (Grades 4 to 6) of the formal system under the Revised ALS Curriculum, and requires mastery of competencies from all six Learning Strands
• Passing earns a certificate equivalent to an elementary school diploma

3. Accreditation and Equivalency — Junior High School Level

• For learners who completed elementary but did not finish high school, or who have some high school education
• Minimum age to sit the A&E Test: 16 years old on or before examination day
• Equivalent to Key Stage 3 (Grades 7 to 10), split into an Upper Intermediate level (Grades 7-8 competencies) and a Proficient level (Grades 9-10 competencies)
• Passing earns a certificate equivalent to a Junior High School diploma

4. ALS Senior High School

ALS Senior High School corresponds to Key Stage 4 (Grades 11 to 12). Under DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026, it is open to A&E Junior High School completers, JHS completers from the formal system who cannot enrol in a formal SHS, formal SHS dropouts who cannot return, over-aged Grade 10 PEPT passers, and pre-K to 12 high school graduates who need SHS completion as a prerequisite for higher education. Schools already running ALS SHS continue using the Contextualized MELCs-based or hybrid ALS SHS curriculum until DepEd issues the strengthened ALS SHS curriculum, which will come with its own separate guidelines.

5. Shorter Programs: FELP and AFBP

Not every ALS learner is aiming for a diploma. The Functional Education and Literacy Program (FELP) offers short non-formal courses that upgrade a targeted set of skills and competencies. The Academic-Focused Bridging Program (AFBP) is for A&E secondary passers who want to build the study skills and academic grounding senior high school, college, or post-secondary vocational training will demand. DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 also allows learners who are not aiming for A&E certification to receive a certificate describing the competencies they have mastered instead.

ALS vs. Regular School: A Comparison

How to Enroll in ALS

Enrolling in ALS is straightforward and welcoming. There are no entrance exams, no grade requirements, and no tuition fees.

Step 1: Find Your Nearest ALS Community Learning Center

ALS learning sessions are conducted in various locations:

• DepEd Division Offices — Every DepEd division has an ALS coordinator
• Barangay halls and community centers — Many barangays host ALS sessions
• Public libraries — Some serve as ALS learning hubs
• Churches, NGO centers, and other community spaces — ALS uses available community facilities

To find the nearest ALS center, visit your DepEd Division Office or call the DepEd hotline. You can also ask your barangay captain — most barangays know their local ALS teacher.

Step 2: Talk to the ALS Instructional Manager

The ALS teacher (called an Instructional Manager or IM) will:

• Interview you about your educational background
• Assess your current literacy and learning level
• Determine which ALS program fits your needs (BLP, A&E Elementary, or A&E Secondary)
• Explain the schedule and learning process

Step 3: Submit Basic Requirements

ALS enrollment requirements are minimal:

• Duly accomplished ALS Learner Registration Form — The IM will provide this
• Any valid ID or proof of identity — Birth certificate, barangay ID, school ID, or any government-issued ID
• 2x2 ID photos — 2 pieces (some learning centers may not require this immediately)
• PSA Birth Certificate — If available. If not, it is not a barrier to enrollment

Important: ALS follows DepEd's "No Learner Left Behind" policy. You will not be turned away for lack of documents. The IM will help you secure the needed documents over time.

Step 4: Attend Learning Sessions

Once enrolled, you will:

• Receive ALS learning modules covering the required learning strands
• Attend group learning sessions facilitated by the IM (schedule varies — could be 2-3 times per week)
• Complete self-study activities between sessions using the provided modules
• Participate in learning action cells — small group discussions and collaborative activities

Step 5: Register for the A&E Assessment

When your IM determines you are ready, you will be registered for the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Assessment — the official exam that certifies your learning.

The ALS A&E Assessment

Under DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026, A&E certification for the Elementary and Junior High School levels is not a single exam. The order states that the process "shall include both Presentation Portfolio Assessment (PPA) and A&E Test." The A&E Test itself is administered by the Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) in coordination with the Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE), and is based on the competencies of the Revised ALS Curriculum.

The Two Parts

• Presentation Portfolio Assessment (PPA) — a collection of your achievements assembled specifically for assessment, documenting your background and experience, the learning process you followed, and work samples you chose to show what you can do. Your day-to-day work folder feeds into it, so keep it.
• A&E Test — the written assessment, registered for and sat at a DepEd Schools Division Office designated as a registration and testing center by the Schools Division Superintendent.

Basic Literacy Program learners follow a different route: they take a post-Assessment of Basic Literacy (post-ABL), and passers receive a certificate of program completion signed by the ALS Implementer and approved by the Division ALS Focal Person.

What It Covers

The A&E Test is based on the six Learning Strands of the Revised ALS Curriculum — groups of competencies equivalent to subjects in the formal school system:

The Basic Literacy level focuses on LS 1 and LS 3 with foundational competencies from the rest. A&E Elementary and A&E Junior High School require mastery across all six.

Registration and Timing

Registration and administration guidelines are reissued by BEA each cycle, so treat any specific date you read online as belonging to a particular cycle rather than a permanent schedule. The pattern from the most recent published cycle: DepEd Memorandum No. 100, s. 2025 set the registration period for the 2025 A&E Test from September 29 to November 21, 2025, with the test administered on March 1, 2026. Eligible registrants were ALS learners enrolled in the Learner Information System for the current school year, plus previous program completers who had not yet taken — or had not passed and since undergone additional learning intervention — the PPA or the A&E Test.

Registration requirements per the same memorandum: the original and one photocopy of your PSA birth certificate (or, if unavailable, a baptismal certificate, voter's ID, valid passport, valid driver's licence, or another legal document bearing your photo, name, signature and date of birth), a 1x1 ID photo on white background with a name tag, and, depending on your situation, ALS Form 5 or your previous PPA result or Certificate of Rating. Originals are returned to you after verification.

And it costs nothing. The memorandum states directly: "No payment shall be collected for the A&E Test Registration, Administration, and issuance of the COR."

Results

Results are released by the Bureau of Education Assessment, which issues the Certificate of Rating (COR). DepEd does not publish a fixed turnaround, so ask your Division ALS Focal Person or Division Testing Coordinator when results for your cycle are expected rather than relying on a figure from an old guide. The credential is recognized by educational institutions, employers, and the Civil Service Commission.

After Passing the A&E Assessment

DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 spells out the equivalent pathways rung by rung: BLP completers may enrol in A&E Elementary or in Grade 4 of the formal system; A&E Elementary passers may enrol in A&E Junior High School or in Grade 7 of the formal system; and A&E Junior High School passers may enrol in ALS Senior High School or in the Senior High School of the formal system.

Pathway 1: Senior High School

A&E Junior High School passers can enroll in Grade 11 / Senior High School at any public or private SHS, or continue in ALS SHS. You follow the same enrollment process as regular Grade 10 completers, and your A&E credential serves as the basis for admission.

Pathway 2: TESDA Programs

A&E passers (both Elementary and Junior High School levels) can enroll in TESDA Technical-Vocational programs:

• Short courses leading to National Certificates (NC I, NC II, NC III)
• Programs in areas like IT, automotive, welding, caregiving, cookery, and more
• TESDA runs scholarship and training-subsidy programs that can cover training costs for qualified enrollees — program names and funding change from year to year, so ask your TESDA provincial or district office what is currently open rather than relying on an old program name
• ALS SHS learners whose track or strand includes competencies equivalent to a TESDA National Certificate are encouraged under DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 to take the TESDA assessment and pursue micro-certification

Pathway 3: College

A&E Secondary passers who complete Senior High School can apply to colleges and universities. Alternatively, some colleges accept A&E passers directly through their non-traditional admission programs. However, most universities require SHS completion or its equivalent under the K-12 system.

Pathway 4: Employment

The A&E Passer Certificate is recognized by employers and the Civil Service Commission for positions requiring a high school or elementary education credential.

Tips for ALS Learners

• Commit to a schedule. ALS is flexible, but you still need consistency. Set aside specific days and times for studying your modules.
• Do not skip learning sessions. The IM provides guidance, clarification, and motivation you cannot get from the modules alone.
• Form a study group. Learning with fellow ALS learners keeps you accountable and makes the experience more enjoyable.
• Build your portfolio from day one. Your work folder is not paperwork for its own sake — it feeds the Presentation Portfolio Assessment, which is now half of A&E certification. Keep every output.
• Ask about Recognition of Prior Learning. If you have years of work, training, or community experience, say so at intake. Under the current rules that experience can be assessed and credited instead of re-taught, which shortens your programme.
• Use free online resources. Free, open material from Khan Academy and similar sites supplements the ALS modules well. Ask your IM first for DepEd's own current learning portal, since DepEd's online platforms have changed names and addresses over the years.
• Take the A&E Test seriously. Review all six learning strands, especially the ones you find difficult. Ask your IM for practice items.
• Keep your documents safe. Once you receive your Certificate of Rating, make multiple copies and keep the original in a secure place. You will need it for SHS enrollment, TESDA, or employment.
• Never pay for ALS. Not for enrolment, not for modules, not for the A&E Test, not for your certificate. If you are asked, report it.
• Do not be embarrassed. ALS learners come from all walks of life. The program exists because education is a right, not a privilege. You are making a brave and important decision.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Start

Is it recognized? Yes. The A&E credential is recognized by DepEd, CHED, TESDA, the Civil Service Commission, and employers across the Philippines, and it is the basis on which you enrol in Grade 7, Grade 11, or ALS Senior High School.

How long does it take? There is no fixed answer any more, and that is deliberate. DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 states that "the duration and completion of the ALS program intervention shall depend on the learner's entry level assessment results, and Recognition of Prior Learning," and that completion is based on demonstrated mastery rather than time spent in sessions. Ask your IM for a realistic estimate against your own Individual Learning Agreement.

Do I have to attend in person? Not necessarily. The current order directs ALS Implementers to use "appropriate, relevant, and responsive learning delivery modalities such as (a) modular instruction, (b) online, digital, or mobile learning, (c) face-to-face learning sessions and tutorials, (d) radio- or television-based instruction, and (e) blended learning or a combination of various modalities." What is available depends on your Community Learning Center. See our guide to ALS online classes for how the remote options work in practice.

What if I fail the A&E Test? You can register again in a later cycle. Under DepEd Memorandum No. 100, s. 2025, previous completers who did not pass may re-register provided they have undergone additional learning intervention certified by their ALS teacher, community ALS implementer, or learning facilitator.

Can OFWs take it abroad? ALS is delivered to Filipinos overseas in coordination with Philippine embassies and consulates. Schedules and availability vary by post, so contact the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate directly rather than assuming a sitting is offered near you.

Start Your ALS Journey Today

Education does not have an expiration date. Whether you are 16 or 60, the Alternative Learning System gives you a path to complete your basic education and unlock new opportunities — and it costs you nothing but your time and effort. Visit your nearest DepEd Division Office or barangay hall to find an ALS Community Learning Center near you, and check our ALS requirements guide for the documents to bring. For schools and learning centers across the Philippines, browse SchoolFinderPH — search by city like Manila, Cebu, Davao, or Zamboanga to find educational programs in your area.

Sources

• Republic Act No. 11510 — Alternative Learning System Act, full text (LawPhil)
• DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 — Implementing Guidelines of the Enhanced Alternative Learning System (official)
• DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2026 — full text of the enclosure (official PDF)
• DepEd Memorandum No. 100, s. 2025 — 2025 Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test Registration and Administration Guidelines (official)
• DepEd Order No. 007, s. 2025 — Guidelines on the Mandatory Recognition of Implementing Alternative Learning System Providers (official)
• DepEd — About the Alternative Learning System Program (official)
• SchoolFinderPH — ALS Requirements Guide
• SchoolFinderPH — ALS Online Classes
• SchoolFinderPH — DepEd No Collection Policy