Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._ 34350

Introduced by Honorable Winston “Winnie” T. Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The “Open High School System” could be likened, albeit figuratively, toa manna
from heaven

It would tap unrealized need for the benefit of the following stakeholders namely:

1) children or youth in areas of armed conflict
2) out-of-school youth

3) students living in far-flung or remote areas

4) youth offenders detained in correctional institutions
5) youth who have to eke out a living while studying
6) adults who wish to finish secondary education

This bill, deliberated upon in both Senate and House of Representatives in the
14" Congress, envisions e-learning as a very viable educational system enabling
children, youth, even adults to start, continue, resume and eventually finish their
secondary education outside of the conventional classroom setting.

Of course, there are sufficient provisions in the 1987 Constitution supportive of
this rather bold, innovative, creative approach to the Philippine educational system.

Distance learning center would be a ent to this program

staffed by regular secondary school teachers

As stipulated in the proposed measure, it shall be open to alll youth and even
adults who have finished elementary education and high schol qualifiers of the
Philppine Educational Placement Test (P'

The swift passage of this all oe important bill is Soe most fervently

prayed for.
ot T. CASTELO
2™ District, Quezon City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 2430

Introduced by Honorable Winston “Winnie” T. Castelo

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OPEN HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 of 2010."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — tis 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.

SEC. 3 Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
are hereby defined:

(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
leaming and teaching technologies that allow students to study on their own without
having tot regularly attend classes in conventional classrooms.

{B). “Distance Learning Program” is an educational program whereby the
teaching and leaming processes are accomplished through seff-instructional
materials that allow independent study, multi-channel learning and school-family-
community partnership.

(C). “nang Paaralan or Mother High Schoo!" is a regular secondary school in
the regional or division level that functions, among others, as:

(1) Headquarters of the distance leamers and teachers;


(2) Center for enrolment, evaluation, direct or face-to-face instruction
and promotion of distance leamers;

(3) Receiver of donations, instructional materials and reports relative to
distance learning; and

(4) Coordinator of the different learning centers in the community.

(D). “Guro” is a regular secondary school teacher of the Inang 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 schoo! teacher of the
Inang Paaralan who serves as guidance counselor to the distance leamers;
coordinates with the Guro and Para Guro in evaluating the students’ progress; and
prepares and submits reports to the authorities concemed;

(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 leamers;

(H). "Tagapagpayong Pansamahan’ is the adviser of a club in a 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 hereinafter referred to as the System is
hereby institutionalized in the Philippines in accordance with the provisions of this
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 Schoo! 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 leaming materials;

({E) Consult and collaborate with other DepEd divisions, local government
units (LGUs), non-government organization (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) Recommend 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.

SEC. 8. Establishment of Distance Learning Centers. — Distance learning
centers shall be established in the /nang Paaralan or in the community. The center
is a room of building where the distance leamers 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 Unit (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; Provided, That private
stations and networks shall also be encouraged to provide the same.

SEC. 11. Role of Parents. — Parents of distance 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 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 shail 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 Second 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 disorder and
antisocial leamers 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.

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 continued implementation shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid,
the remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repeated or modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,