FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1008 
~ 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is role of the State to provide the enabling mechanisms to broaden the 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. 
The Department of Education (DepED) is mandated to promote the right to all 
citizens to basic education. Furthermore, it is mandated to take appropriate steps in 
making education accessible to all. With this mandate, providing access to quality 
education has been the guiding prinCiple of various programs and projects of the 
Government in the Philippines. To meet the challenges of the 21 st century, an evolution 
from a teacher-lead instructional model to a learner-led personalized model is 
inevitable. This would require the Department to open doors to alternative learning 
spaces. In this paradigm shift, technology plays a major role in creating a new and 
improved model of teaching and learring where education happens at any place. 
The goal of this measure is to provide the thousands of out of out-of-school 
youths and dropouts in the country the opportunity to earn their high school diplomas 
through the "Open High School System" even without having to attend conventional 
secondary level classes. The OHSS is a system of delivering educational services to 
high 
school 
students 
utilizing 
print, 
radio, 
television 
and 
computer-based 
communications, as well as satellite broadcasting, teleconferencing, and other multi-
media learning and teaching technologies. It allows students to study on their own 
without having to regularly attend classes in conventional classrooms. 
This measure would benefit ,children of high school age who are out of school 
because they are forced by circumstances to stay home during school hours. Often this 
is to care for their younger siblings and do household chores, to allow parents and 
elders to earn a living, or in order to work themselves to augment their family income. 
This would give opportunities to children of high school age who are prevented from 
attending classes regularly due to distance or where schools are geographically 
inaccessible from the nearest public high school. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
1008 
~.No. __ _ 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OPEN HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM (OHSS) IN 
THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
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. - 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, socioeconomic 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 (OHSS)" 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 through self-instructional materials 
that allow independent study, multi-channel learning and school-family-community 
partnership. 
I 


(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 enroll,ment, 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. 
(d) 
"Guro" is a regular secondary school teacher of the 'inang paaralan' 
who is in charge of direct instruction, evaluation of student progress 
aid keeping of the records of individual learners. 
(e) 
"Gurong Tagapatnubay" is a regular secondary school teacher of the 
'I nang 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 a. fanning, 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 OHSS. - To carry out the above-cited 
policy, the OHSS, 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 (BSE) 
regarding dropout intervention and poverty alleviation through education shall be part of 
the System. 
2 


SEC. 6. 
Clientele of th~ 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 OHSS Unit shall be attached to 
the 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) 
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. - Pending the 
establishment of distance learning centers in the "Inang Paaralan" in the community, at 
least two (2) pilot centers in each Region he organized meanwhile. 
The center is a room or a 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 the Interior and Local Government (DILG). - The DepEd and 
the DILG shall sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) defining the role of the LGUs 
in the operation of the System in o~der to ensure maximum collaboration between the 
DepEd and the LGUs toward the suqcess of the System. 
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SEC. 10. 
Role 
of 
Government 
Broadcast 
Stations 
and 
Telecommunication 
Network. 
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 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. 
Private Sector Participation. - Private schools and educational 
institutions may establish their own privately-owned distance learning centers following 
the standards and criteria provided fpr in this Act for the OHSS, subject to the approval 
of the DepEd. 
SEC. 13. 
Personnel Recruitment and Incentives. - Persons 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 determ·ined by the BSE-DepEd, while the "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 LGUs concerned to employ the "para guro", "gurong 
, 
kadluan" and "tagapayong pansamahan" in accordance with the guidelines on hiring of 
personnel prepared upon prior consultation with the BSE-DepEd and issued by the 
same LGUs. 
SEC. 14. 
Training of the System's Teachers. - The OHSS Unit attached to 
the BSE shall take charge of the training of the "guro", "gurong tagapatnubay", "para 
guro", "gurong kadluad'and "tagapayong pansamahan". 
The training of the "para gurq", "gurong kadluan" and "tagapayong pansamahan" 
shall be in coordination with the LGUs and the NGOs concerned. 
SEC. 15. 
Curriculum Content. - The System shall adopt the National 
Secondary Education Curriculum (NSEC) using the Philippine Secondary Schools 
Learning Competencies (PSSLC). 
. 
The OHSS Unit, in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Division, BSE-
DepEd, shall modify the herein adopted curriculum, devise a rating system, instructional 
4 


· , 
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 ott)er related experts who manage or deal with youth 
offenders who are undergoing rehabilitation. 
SEC. 16. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The DepEd, 
through the Curriculum Development Division of the SSE, upon prior consultation with 
the Committees on Basic 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. 17. 
Appropriations. 
-
The 
amount 
nec~ssary 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. 18. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 19. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or pircumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 20. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
5