UNESCO Office in Bangkok: Equivalency Programme

Literacy and Lifelong Learning

What is an Equivalency Programme?

An Equivalency Programme (EP) is an alternative educational programme equivalent to existing formal general or vocational education.

Why Equivalency Programme?

Ideally speaking, everyone should study in formal schools, but in reality many children and youths, in particular from disadvantaged backgrounds, cannot enter school or drop out before completing compulsory schooling. In Asia and the Pacific, many countries have large populations and low literacy rates, and lack the resources required to expand the formal education system. It is therefore necessary to provide education not only through formal education, but also through alternative non-formal means.

In some countries, however, a student graduated from a non-formal primary school (often offered by a NGO) may not be allowed to enter a formal secondary school because s/he did not graduate from a formal primary school. With established equivalency programmes, learners are able to study at non-formal schools and gain formal qualifications equivalent to formal schools.

What types of Equivalency Programmes are available?

Equivalency programmes can be developed at any level and subsectors of education.

In a country where primary, lower-secondary and higher-secondary education are available through formal education system, equivalency programmes can be developed as primary EP, lower-secondary EP and higher-secondary EP.

Similarly, EP could be developed at vocational/professional level. Vocational EP, EP equivalency to university or collage and open education programmes are some examples.

What are the characteristics of Equivalency Programmes?

EPs are non-formal education programmes; however, the qualifications gained through EPs are considered equivalent to those gained through formal education programmes
Around 75% of the content of EPs is equivalent to formal education
EPs are “open” in terms of admission, age, place and pace
EP delivery many be through face-to-face learning or distance education

Asia-Pacific Regional Guide to Equivalency Programmes

Bangkok: UNESCO Bangkok, 2012, 68 p.
ISBN 978-92-9223-397-6 (Electronic version)

Achieving EFA Through Equivalency Programmes in Asia-Pacic: A regional overview with highlights from India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines
Bangkok: UNESCO Bangkok, 2011, 58 p.
ISBN 978-92-9223-343-3 (Print Version)
ISBN 978-92-9223-344-0 (Electronic Version)

Equivalency Programmes and Alternative Certified Learning
13-17 September 2010, Bangkok, Thailand.
Bangkok: UNESCO Bangkok, 2011, 28 p.
ISBN 978-92-9223-364-8 (Electronic version)