1.  The Non-formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) developed by the Bureau of Non-formal Education (BNFE) under the ADB-assisted Philippines Non-formal Education Project (PNFEP) provides an alternative means of certification of learning to Filipinos and foreigners aged 15 years and above, who are basically literate, who are unable to avail of the formal school system, or who have dropped out of formal elementary or secondary school.

It aims to:

a.  provide a system for assessing levels of literacy and non-formal learning achievement based on a National NFE A&E Curriculum covering basic and functional education skills and competencies comparable to the formal school system;

b.  offer an alternative pathway by which out-of-school youth and adults earn an educational qualification comparable to the formal elementary and secondary school system; and

c.  enable out-of-school youth and adults to gain reading, writing and numeracy skills, to meet their learning goals as they define them, and to gain the skills they need to improve their economic status and function more effectively in society.

2.  The NFE A&E System is a pioneering effort to offer a uniquely non-formal alternative learning system to formal schooling. It s built around a truly non-formal education curriculum and utilizes a range of innovative non-formal learning strategies designed to break down traditional learning barriers of time, accessibility and resource. It allows flexible entry and exit points and aims to maximize learners’ control of the learning process.

3.  The target learners of the NFE A&E System are Out-of-School Youth (OSY) and Adult Filipinos and foreigners who are 15 years and above who are basically literate. However, out- of- school children who are 6-14 years old and above may avail of the NFE A&E System components except for the NFE A&E tests.

4.  The NFE A&E System will now be implemented in the sixteen (16) regions. All DepEd field officials should support this innovative and laudable non-formal education initiative which blazes a trail towards a flexible, responsive alternative learning system which has earned for the BNFE, DepEd, and the UNESCO International NOMA Award in 2000 from UNESCO, Paris.

5.  Special Provision No. 11, Republic Act No. 9162 entitled General Appropriations Act (GAA) states that “the amount allocated for Field Operations of non-formal education shall be used for functional education and literacy accreditation and equivalency learning support delivery system to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) such as foundations, religious/academic supported welfare agencies. People’s Organizations, State Universities and Colleges with literacy extension programs, and other government agencies active in literacy promotion, or any other alternative delivery system.’’ The aforementioned organizations and agencies including DepEd field offices shall implement the NFE A&E System.

6.  Enclosed are the guidelines of the Non-formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency System.

7.  Strict adherence to the guidelines and immediate and wide dissemination of this Order is enjoined.

DECS Memorandum No. 204. s. 1998

DECS Memorandum No. 22. s. 1999

DECS Memorandum No. 28. s. 1999