QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that the National Achievement Test 12 is not a requirement for senior high school students to graduate.
According to DepEd, students could graduate and enroll in college even without taking the NAT12.
The statement came after reports that some private schools claimed that senior high school students would not be able to go onto higher education without passing the test.
“Probably, it’s the only way for schools to ask for the participation of the learners, but it is not a requirement for graduation,” said DepEd Undersecretary Lorna Dig-Dino in a press conference.
Dig-Dino said that the NAT12 was created for students’ system evaluation.
“It was created in response to the advice of Department of Budget and Management for DepEd to create a system of assessment of the SHS graduates after the free college education law was announced,” Dig-Dino said.