Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

648

H. B. No.

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The true value of education in one's life cannot be fathomed. Everyone is entitled by
right to proper education. Unfortunately, due to economic, geographic and time management
constraints, not everyone who acknowledges the significance of education will be able to avail
of it. Finishing high school is an asset that everyone with the opportunity should take full
advantage of. Just finishing high school alone opens up thousands more opportunities for
individuals. When entering a specific field within the job market, it is often required that the
applicant at least posses a high school diploma Therefore, many times without the high school
diploma, a person is restricted to a smaller number of occupations for which they are qualified
for.

High school teaches students to learn. It gives them a background in many different
subjects and methods of learning. A high school education opens up a world of opportunities for
people. It instills confidence and the ability to function in society.

In order for society to advance our society must he educated. The Open High School
System delivers educational services to high school students utilizing alternative means of
instruction such as print, radio, television, and other multi-media learning and teaching
technologies that allow students to study on their own without having to regularly attend class in
the conventional classroom setup.

This alternative learning system is consistent with the constitutional mandate to
democratize access to quality education at all levels.

Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ZL

JUAN ED@ARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA
Represeritative
Lone District, Province of Aurora



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

648

H.B.No.

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

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

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby deciared the policy of the State to 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 the purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined;

a.) Open High School System - a system of delivering educational services to high
school students utilizing print, radio, television and computer-based communications,
satellite broadcasting, teleconferencing, and other multimedia learning and teaching
technologies that allow students to study on their own without having to
regularly attend lass in conventional classrooms.

b.) Distance Learning Program - 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.

c.) Inang Paaralan or Mother High School - a regular secondary school in the regional
or division level that fimctions, among others, as; 1) headquarters of the distance
learners and teachers; 2) center for enrollment, evaluation, direct or face-to-face
instruction and promotion of distance learners; 3) receiver of donations, instructional
materials and such reports relative to distance learning; and 4) coordinator of the
different learning centers in the community.

d.) Guro - 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,

.) Gurong Tagapatnubay- a regular secondary school teacher of the Inang
Paaralan who serves as guidance counselor to the distance learners; coordinates.
with the p ro and para guro in evaluating the students’ progress; and prepares and
submits reports to the authorities concerned.

£) Gurong Kadluan - a resource person with specialized skills in practical or industrial
subjects such as farming, handicraft, and auto-mechanics, tailoring and other skills.

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g,) Para Guro - 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.

g.) Tagapagpayong Pansamahan -the adviser of a club in the community who helps
earners 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.

Alll 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;

¢. Monitor and evaluate existing distance learning programs for the

integration with the system;

Develop and validate prototype instructional distance learning materials;

. Consult and collaborate with other DepEd divisions, local government
units (LGU's), 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,

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SEC. 8. Establishment of Distance Learning Centers - Distance learning centers shall
be established in the hang 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 Departmerit 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; Provided, that stations and networks shall
also be encouraged to provide the same.

SEC. 14, 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
completely assist their children 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 Gurong Tagapatnubay shalt receive incentives andlor monetary
compensation as determined 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 local government units concerned to employ the Pra 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 on 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 material that will suit the psycho-social
needs ad physical condition of the 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.

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 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,