FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1143 
.. 
,~ -:.. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many children of high school age are out of school because they have to stay at 
home during school hours to take care of younger siblings and do household chores to 
allow their. parents and elders to earn a living. Others are prevented from attending 
classes regularly because they live far from the high school. In the case of youthful 
offenders, they cannot attend conventional classes because they are detained .in 
correctional institutions. 
There are also the youth whose secondary education is 
hampered by armed conflict as what presently besets the students in some areas in 
Mindanao. 
Recognizing the critical immediacy of addressing the need for secondary 
education of the aforementioned citizens, this measure seeks to institutionalize the open 
high school system in the country. 
The open high school system delivers educational services to high school 
students utilizing print, radio, television and computer-based communications, satellite 
broadcasting, 
teleconferencing 
and 
other 
multi-media 
learning 
and 
teaching 
technologies that allow students to study on their own without having to regularly attend 
classes in conventional classrooms. This alternative learning system is consistent with 
the constitutional mandate to democratize access to quality education at all levels even 
as it "recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building." 
Approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MA 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1143 
~'l;"-'~'J, 
t;;F ' '<,TE 
,'~-F;; <;:L ,,' 
.".,~ SC:;;~[~C:3~" 
1 0 
JUL 12 
A8:s~ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OPEN HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Open High School 
System Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to broaden access to relevant quality education through the employment of an 
alternative learning system that would, enable the youth including adults to overcome 
geographical, socio-economic and/or physical constraints to their completion of 
secondary education. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are herebydefined: 
a.) Open High School System is a system of delivering educational services to 
high 
school 
students 
utilizing 
print, 
radio, 
television 
and 
computer-based 
communications, satellite broadcasting, teleconferencing, and other multi-media 
learning and teaching technologies that allow students to study on their own without 
having to regularly attend classes in conventional classrooms. 
b.) Distance Learning Program is an educational program whereby the teaching 
and learning processes are accomplished throu'gh self-instructional materials that allow 
independent study, multi-channel learning and school-family-community partnership; 
c.) Inang Paaralan or Mother High School is a regular secondary school in the 
regional or division level that functions, among others, as: 1) headquarters of the 
distance learners and teachers; 2) center for enrolment, evaluation, direct or face-to-
face instruction and promotion of distance learners; 3) receiver of donations, 
instructional materials and reports relative to distance learning; and 4) coordinator of the 
different learning centers in the community. 
2 


d.) Guro is a regular secondary school teacher of the "I nang Paaralan" who is in 
charge of direct instruction, evaluation of student progress and keeping of the records of 
individual learners. 
e.) Gurong Tagapatnubay is a regular secondary school teacher of the Inang 
Paaralan who serves as guidance counselor to the distance learners; coordinates with 
the guro and para guro in evaluating the students' progress; and prepares and submits 
reports to the authorities concerned. 
f.) Gurong Kadluan is a resource person with specialized skills in practical or 
industrial subjects such as farming, handicraft, auto-mechanics, tailoring and other 
skills. 
g.) Para Guro is a degree holder or college level citizen/resident in the 
community 'Who manages a learning center and facilitates the learning process of a 
group of distance, learners. 
h.) Tagapagpayong Pansamahan is the adviser of a club in the community who 
helps learners harmonize study with community service and leisure. 
SEC. 4. Institutionalization of the Open High School System. - To carry out the 
above-declared policy, the Open High School hereinafter referred to as the System is 
hereby, institutionalized in the Philippines in accordance with the provisions of the Act. 
SEC. 5. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to public secondary educational 
institutions with. existing distance learning programs and all other such institutions that 
shall later be authorized as qualified implementers of the System. 
All existing programs and projects of the Bureau of Secondary Education 
regarding dropout intervention and poverty alleviation through education shall be part of 
the Open High School System. 
SEC. 6. Clientele of the System. - The System shall be open to all youth and 
adults who have finished elementary education and high school qualifiers of the 
Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT). 
SEC. 7. Administration and Supervision. - The Department of Education (DepEd) 
shall administer and supervise the System. An Open High School Unit shall be attached 
to the Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) to assist the Bureau in performing the 
following functions: 
a) Formulate the objectives and basic policies of the System; 
b) Formulate, adopt and supplement programs that will make the System 
effective and productive; 
c) Monitor and evaluate existing distance learning programs for integration with 
the System; 
d) Develop and validate prototype instructional distance learning materials; 
e) Consult and collaborate with other DepEd divisions, local government units 
(LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and other private agencies for the 
effective operation of the System; 
f) Promulgate the necessary guidelines, rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of the System; 
g) RC?commend to the DepEd the annual budget of the System for inclusion in the 
General Appropriations Act for the year; and 
h) Perform such other tasks as may be necessary to attain the objectives of the 
System .. 
3 


SEC. 8 Establishment of Distance Learning Centers. - Distance learning centers 
shall be established in the Inang Paaralan or in the community. The Center is a room of 
building where the distance learners can conduct researches or gather additional 
information on topics under study. It can also serve as a venue where the Gurong 
Kadluan can conduct hands-on exercises/activities. 
SEC. 9. Collaboration between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). - The DepEd and DILG shall sign 
a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) defining the role of local government units in the 
operation of the System in order to ensure maximum collaboration between DepEd and 
local government units toward the success of the System. 
SEC 10. Role of Government Broadcast Stations and Telecommunication 
Networks. - Government broadcast stations and telecommunication networks shall 
provide the necessary assistance and support to the System; provide that private 
stations and networks shall also be encouraged to provide the same. 
SEC. 11. Role of Parents. - Parents of distance learners shall be provided with 
adequate information on the System as well as for sharing experiences to enable them 
to competently assist their children in their distance learning. 
SEC. 12 Personnel Recruitment and Incentives. - All personnel involved in the 
system shall have adequate and appropriate education and training to be determined by 
the BSE- DepEd. 
Teachers or Guros and Gurong Tagapatnubay shall receive incentives and/or 
monetary compensation as determined by the BSE-DepEd while Para Guro, Gurong 
Kadluan and Tagapayong Pansamahan shall receive honoraria, to be arranged with the 
local school board. 
It shall be the duty of the local government units concerned to employ the Para 
Guro, Gurong Kadluan and Tagapayong pansamahan in accordance with the guidelines 
on hiring such Personnel prepared upon prior consultation with the BSE-DepEd and 
issued by the same LGUs. 
SEC. 13. Training of the System's Teachers. - The Open High School Unit 
attached to the Bureau of Secondary Education shall take .charge of the training of the 
Guro, Gurong Tagapatnubay, 
Gurong Kadluan, 
Para Guro and Tagapayong 
Pansamahan. 
The training of the Para Guro, Gurong Kadluan and Tagapayong Pansamahan 
shall be in coordination with the local government units and non-government 
organizations concerned. 
SEC. 14. Curriculum Content. - The System shall adopt the National Secondary 
Education Curriculum (NSEC) using the Philippine Secondary Schools Learning 
Competencies (PSSLC). 
The Open High School System Unit in collaboration with the Curriculum 
Development Division, Bureau of Secondary Education"{BSE) shall modify the herein 
adopted curriculum, devise a Rating system; instructional strategies and materials that 
will suit the psycho-social needs and Physical condition of conduct disordered and 
antisocial learners who are detained in correctional institutions. In the discharge of this 
function; the BSE shall consult with professional psychiatrists, Psychologists, social 
workers and other related experts who manage or deal with youth offenders who are 
undergoing rehabilitation. 
4 


• 
SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education, 
through the Curriculum Development Division of the Bureau of Secondary Education, 
upon prior consultation with the Committees on Education of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives, Shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act within a Period of ninety (90) days after its approval. 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act, shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the Distance 
Learning Program of the BSE-DepEd. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for 
its continueid implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. -, If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval. 
Approved, 
5