The Department of Education (DepEd) has lowered the percentage for passing in tests of persons who are getting their education from the alternative learning system (ALS).
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones has ordered that the passing level for those who are taking equivalency tests under ALS be decreased to 60 percent.
The current passing grade is 75 percent.
Briones came up with the decision after finding out that many persons who took the recent ALS tests failed.
The secretary came to know that there were many factors that led to this result.
She observed that the tests used to be given in Filipino.
These days, the tests are using the English language.
She also noticed that the examinations given were much harder, compared to the previous years.
Briones also saw that DepEd had committed several postponements to the schedule of the exams, which affected the performances of the examinees.
Out-of-school youths avail of the ALS tests for acceptance in senior high school or in jobs that do not require college education.
Prisoners who want to study after serving their jail terms also take the ALS equivalency tests.