Fifteenth Congress ofthe Republic 
of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2197 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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, Cj,llllt~lIqn 
is restricted to a smaller number of occupations for which they are qualified for.I 111 lillli 
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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 be 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. 
l'LBUNG REVILLA, JR. 


Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
of the Philippines 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2197 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shal1 be known as the "Open High School-.system 
Act". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared 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. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
hereby defined: 
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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 al10w students to study on their own without having to regularly 
attend class in conventional classrooms. 
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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 functions, 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 "lnang Paaralan" who is in charge of 
direct instruction, evaluation of student progress and keeping of the records' of 
individual learners. 
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e) Gurong Tagapatnnbay - a regular secondary school teacher of the hang Paaralan who 
serves as guidance counselor to the distance learners; coordinates with the pro and 
para guro in evaluating the students' progress; and prepares and submits reports to the 
authorities concerned. 
f) 
Gurong Kadluan - a resource person with specialized skills in practical or industrial 
subjects such as farming, handicraft, and auto-mechanics, tailoring and other skills. 
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. 
h) Tagapagpayong Pansamahan - the adviser of a club in the community who helps 
earners harmonize study with community service and leisure. 
SECTION 4. Institntionalization 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. 
SECTION 5. Coverage - This Act shall apply to public secondary educational 
institutions with existing distance learning programs and all other such institutions that sn<illliiter 
be authorized as qualified implementersof the System. 
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All existing programs and projects of the Bureau of Secondary Education regarding 
dropout intervention and poverty alleviation through education shaH be part of the Open High 
School System. 
SECTION 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). 
SECTION 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 existil}g distance learning programs for the integration with the 
system; 
d. Develop and validate prototype instructional distance learning materials; 
e. Consult and collaborate with other DepEd divisions, local government units &Gus), 
non-government organizations (NGOs) and other private agencies for the effective 
operation ofthe system; 
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f. 
Promulgate the necessary guidelines, rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation ofthe 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. 
SECTION 8. Establishment of Distance Learning Centers - Distance learning centers 
shall be established in the lnang 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. 
SECTION 9. Collaboration between 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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 
completely assist their children their children in their distance learning. 
SECTION 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 shall receive incentives and/or 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 govemment 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. 
SECTION 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 GUfO, 
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. 
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SECTION 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 
and 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clanse. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval. 
Approved, 
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