March 11, 2003 DO 13, s. 2003 – Inclusion of the Out-Of-School Children Six to Fourteen (6-14) Years of Age in the NFE Accreditation and Equivalency Program Amended by DO 75, s. 2003 – Corrigendum to DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2003 (Inclusion of the Out-of-School Children Six to Fourteen (6-14) Years of Age in the NFE Accreditation and Equivalency Program (NFE A&E))

DO 13, s. 2003 – Inclusion of the Out-Of-School Children Six to Fourteen (6-14) Years of Age in the NFE Accreditation and Equivalency Program Amended by DO 75, s. 2003 – Corrigendum to DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2003 (Inclusion of the Out-of-School Children Six to Fourteen (6-14) Years of Age in the NFE Accreditation and Equivalency Program (NFE A&E))

March 11, 2003

DO 13, s. 2003

Inclusion of the Out-Of-School Children Six to Fourteen (6-14) Years of Age in the NFE Accreditation and Equivalency Program

To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services/Centers and Heads of Units
Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools

The Nonformal Education Accreditation and Equivalency Program (NFE A&E) is an alternative learning system which is designed to provide an opportunity to the out-of-school youth and adults fifteen (15) years old and above to continue learning outside of the classroom and a chance to reenter the formal school system (Source: NFE A&E Manual of Operations, 1999).
Pursuant to RA 9155 (Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001) specifically IRR Sec. 1.3 (Purposes and Objectives), one of the primary objectives of Basic Education is:
“To establish schools and learning centers, and other school facilities where schoolchildren are able to learn a range of core competencies prescribed for elementary and high school programs or where the out-of- school youth and adult learners, are provided alternative learning programs and receive accreditation for at least the equivalent of an elementary or a high school education.” In the spirit of this law, the NFE A&E Program shall now be offered:
1. to out-of-school children aged six to fourteen (6-14) years;
2. through community learning centers, the schools or the home; and
3. also as a home study program supervised by the school or a service provider.
Hence, the additional NFE A&E test qualifiers for elementary and secondary levels are all children aged 6-14 years who are:
1. drop-outs of the formal school system;
2. in the labor force;
3. street children;
4. children of indigenous communities;
5. physically disadvantaged;
6. living in areas of armed conflict; and
7. are in educational institutions that offer curricula different from the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC).
It is understood that passers of the NFE A&E tests for elementary level shall be automatically accepted in 1st year High School, and those for secondary level shall be eligible to enter college or post-secondary education.
The NFE A&E field operations funds better known as Literacy Service Contracting Scheme (LSCS) and Learning Support Delivery System (LSDS) given to regional and division offices will also be used for this purpose.
This supersedes previous Orders which may be in conflict with the contents of this Order.
Immediate implementation of this Order and its dissemination to all concerned is directed.

Reference:
DepEd Order: Nos. 2, s. 2003, and 22, s. 1999
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
ACCREDITATION
EXAMINATIONS
NONFORMAL EDUCATION
POLICY

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