·,. 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
• 
SEN~Y474 
S.No. ___ _ 
tJ / 
~H~rFhJr 
~.,"~ !TI 
,.{. ~~~_"' __ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
\; 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The ,best safeguard to our democratic political system is an enlightened citizenry who 
cannot be cowed nor dictated upon. These are the citizens who would fight for their right to a 
better life; who would struggle individually and collectively to develop the country's economy 
and make it globally competitive. These are the citizens who would farm and manufacture, 
manage businesses, build and lead organizations, run the government and uphold the country's 
independence. These are the citizens our laws must serve and protect These are the citizens 
whose right to education the State must guarantee. 
Among these citizens are the underprivileged out-of-school youth and adults who have 
graduated from the elementary but are unable to go to high school because of geographic and 
socio-economic constraints. Many chilqren 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 schoo!. 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 ~ervices 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. " 
This is a Senate counterpart bill to one filed in the House of Representatives by Rep. 
Edcel C. Lagman.' 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN6.Tp 
S.N~. 1474 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
I 
AN ACT 
lU 
2 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OPEN HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES 
3 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
4 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Open High School System 
5 
Act." 
6 
SECTION 2. Declaratiol1 of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
7 
broaden access to relevant quality education through the employment of an alternative learning 
8 
system that would enable the youth including adults to overcome geographical, socio-economic 
9 
and/or physical constraints to their completion of secondary education. 
10 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
11 
hereby defined: 
12 
(A) "Open High School System" is a system of delivering educational services to high 
13 
school students utilizing print, radio, television and computer-based communications, satellite 
14 
broadcasting, teleconferencing, and other multi-media learning and teaching technologies that 
IS 
allow students to study on their own without having to regularly attend classes in conventional 
16 
classrooms. 
17 
(B) "Distance Learning Program" is an educational program whereby the teaching and 
18 
learning processes ate accomplished through self-instructional materials that allow independent 
19 
study, multi-channel learning and school-family-community partnership. 
20 
(C) "Inang Paaralan or Mother High School" is a regular secondary school in the 
21 
regional or division level that functions, among others, as: 
I 


1 
(l) Headquarters of the distance learners and teachers; 
2 
(2) Center for enrolment, evaluation, direct or face-to-face instruction and 
3 
promotion of distance learners; 
4 
(3) Receiver of donations, instructional materials and reports relative to distance 
5 
learning; and 
6 
(4) Coordinator of the different learning centers in the community. 
7 
(D)"Guro" is a regular secondary school teacher of the Inang Paaralan who is in charge 
8 
of direct instruction, evaluation of student progress and keeping of the records of individual 
9 
learners. 
-10 
(E) "Gurong Tagapatnubay" is a regular secondary school teacher of the Inang Paaralan 
II 
who serves as guidance counselor to the distance learners; coordinates with the Guro and Para 
12 
Gura in evaluating the students' progress; and prepares and submits reports to the authorities 
13 
concerned. 
14 
(F) "Gurong Kadluan" is a resource person with specialized skills in practical or 
15 
industrial subjects such as farming, handicraft, auto-mechanics, tailoring and other skills. 
16 
(G) "Para Gura" is a degree holder or college level citizen/resident in the community 
17 
who manages a learning center and facilitates the learning process of a group of distance 
18 
learners. 
19 
(H) "Tagapagpayong Pansamahan" is the adviser of a club in the community who helps 
, 
20 
'Iearners harmonize study with community servi~e and leisure. 
21 
. SECTION 4. Institutionalization of the Open High School System. - To carry out the 
22 
above-declared policy, the Open High School hereinafter referred to as the System is hereby 
23 
institutionalized in the Philippines in accordance with the provisions ofthe Act. 
24 
SECTION 5. Coverage. -
This Act shall apply to public secondary educational 
25 
institutions with existing distance learning programs and ail other such institutions that shall later 
26 
be authorized as qualified implementers of the System. 
2 


1 
All existing programs and projects of the Bureau of Secondary Education regarding 
2 
dropout intervention and poverty alleviation through education shall be part of the Open High 
3 
School System. 
4 
SECTION 6. Clientele of the System. - The System shall be open to all youth and adults 
5 
who have finished elementary education and high school qualifiers of the Philippine Educational 
6 
Placement Test (PEPT). 
7 
SECTION 7. Administration and Supervision. - The Department of Education (DepEd) 
8 
shall administer and supervise the System. An Open High School Unit shall be attached to the 
9 
Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) to assist the Bureau In performing the following 
10 
functions: 
11 
(A) Formulate the objectives and basic policies of the System; 
12 
(B) Formulate, adopt and supplement programs that will make the System effective and 
13 
productive; 
14 
(C) Monitor and evaluate existing .distance learning programs for integration With the 
15 
System; 
16 
(D) Develop and validate protot:ype instructional distance learning materials; 
17 
(E) Consult and collaborate with other DepEd divisions, local government units (LGUs), 
18 
non-government organizations (NGOs) and other private agencies for the effective operation of 
19 
the System; 
20 
(F) Promulgate the necessary guidelines, rules and regulations for the effective 
21 
implementation of the System; 
22 
(G) Recommend to the DepEd the annual budget of the System for inclusion in the 
23 
General Appropriations Act for the year; and 
24 
(H) Perform such other tasks as may be necessary to attain the objectives of the System. 
25 
SECTION 8. Establishment of Distance Learning Centers. - Distance learning centers 
26 
shall be established in the inang Paw'alan or in the community. The center is a room of building 
27 
where the distance learners can conduct researches or gather additional Information on topics 
3 


1 
under study. It can also serve as a venue where the Gurong Kadluan can conduct hands-on 
2 
exercises/activities. 
3 
SECTION 9., Collaboration between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the 
4 
Department of Interior and Local Goyemment (DILG). - The DepEd and DILG shall sign a 
5 
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) defining the role of local government units in the operation 
6 
of the System In order to ensure maximum collaboration between DepEd and local government 
7 
units toward the success of the System. 
8 
SECTION 10. Role 0/ Government Broadcast Stations and Telecommunication 
9 
Networks. - Government broadcast stations and telecommunication networks shall provide the 
!O 
necessary assistance and support to the System; Provided, That private stations and networks 
11 
shall also be encouraged to provide the same. 
12 
SECTION 11. Role of Parents. - Parents of distance learners shall be provided with 
13 
adequate Information on the System as well as for sharing experiences to enable them to 
14 
competently assist their children in their distance learning. 
15 
SECTION 12. Personnel Recruitment and Incentives. - All personnel involved in the 
16 
System shall have adequate and appropriate education and training to be determined by the BSE-
17 
DepEd. Teachers or Guros and Gurong. Tagapatnubay shall receive incentives and/or monetary 
18 
compensation as determined by the BSE-DepEd while Para Guro, Gurong Kadluan and 
19 
Tagapayong Pansamahan shall receive honoraria, to be arranged with the local school board. 
20 
It shall be the duty ofthe local government units concerned to employ the Para Guro, 
21 
Gurong Kadluan and Tagapayong Pansamahan in accordance with the guidelines on hiring such 
22 
personnel prepared upon prior consultation with the BSE-DepEd and issued by the same LGUs. 
23 
SECTION 13. Training o/the System's Teachers. - The Open High School Unit attached 
24 
to the Bureau of secondary education shall take charge of the training of the Guro, Gurong 
25 
Tagapatnubay, Gurong Kadluan, Para Guro and Tagapayong Pansamahan. 
4 


I 
The training of the Para Guro, Gurong Kadluan and Tagapayong Pansamahan shall be 
2 
in coordination with the local government units and non-government organizations concerned. 
3 
SECTION 14. Curriculum Content. - The System shall adopt the National secondary 
4 
education Curriculum (NSEC) using the Philippine secondary Schools Learning Competencies 
5 
(PSSLC). 
6 
The Open High School System Unit in collaboration with the Curriculum Development 
7 
Division, Bureau of secondary Education'(BSE) shaH modify the herein adopted curriculum, 
8 
devise a rating system, instructional strategies and materials that will suit the psycho-social needs 
9 
and physical condition of conduct disordered and antisocial learners who are detained in 
10 
correctional institutions. In the discharge of this function, the BSE shall consult with professional 
11 
psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other related experts who manage or deal with 
12 
youth offenders who are undergoing rehabilitation. 
13 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and RegUlations. - The Department of Education, 
14 
through the Curriculum Development Division of the Bureau of secondary Education, upon prior 
15 
.consultation with the Committees on Education of the senate and the House of Representatives, 
16 
shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective Implementation of this Act within 
17 
a period of ninety (90) days after its approval. 
18 
SECTION 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
19 
this Act, shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the Distance Learning 
20 
Program of the BSE-DepEd. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued 
21 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
22 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the 
23 
remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
24 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
25 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
26 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
5 


1 
SECTION 19. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
2 
pUblication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
6