Question & AnswerQ&A (DEPED ORDER NO. 36, S. 2015)
The main objective of RA No. 10618 is to establish rural farm schools as an alternative delivery mode of secondary education focused on agri-fisheries, to address the educational needs of children in rural, agricultural, and fishing communities and promote sustainable agricultural productivity and rural development.
The IRR apply to all public and private secondary schools that offer the rural farm school program.
Alternative Delivery Mode refers to nontraditional education programs recognized by DepEd that use flexible learning philosophies and curricular delivery programs including non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills to help marginalized students and those at risk of dropping out.
Rural farm schools are classified into 1) Public Rural Farm Schools operated by the government or political subdivisions, and 2) Private Rural Farm Schools operated by private entities, NGOs, or farm associations not funded by the government.
The Family Enterprise Project is a study or research submitted by a student at the end of their formation to improve the family enterprise and income, presented to a panel of experts, and implemented by the student's family.
Criteria include being outside a 30-kilometer radius of an existing rural farm school, having qualified teachers/tutors and facilities, having an MOA with the LGU and partners, and an established school governing council.
Personnel include school head/principal, specialist teachers/tutors, administrative staff, and technical staff. Their salaries and benefits follow the Salary Standardization Law and Civil Service qualification standards.
Basic qualifications include having a National Certification from TESDA or certification as a Farm School Teacher through approved pedagogical training by DepEd.
Public rural farm schools are free from tuition and other fees except those authorized by DepEd. Private rural farm schools may charge minimal tuition fees subject to DepEd approval, but relatives of CARP beneficiaries up to the third degree of consanguinity in the descending line are exempt from fees.
Priority is given to relatives of CARP beneficiaries up to the third degree of consanguinity and learners from disadvantaged sectors such as farmer-peasants, artisanal fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, women, differently-abled persons, and others identified in the IRR.
DepEd regulates the schools; DA-ATI assists with curriculum, training, and extension services; DAR supports CARP beneficiaries and family farm associations; TESDA provides training regulations and certification; all coordinate for effective program implementation.
Rural farm schools must be accredited or recognized by DepEd according to policies and standards prescribed in consultation with DAR, DA, TESDA, ATI, and the national federation of family farm schools. Operating without accreditation is prohibited and accreditation may be revoked for noncompliance.
Donations, contributions, bequests, or grants made to duly accredited rural farm schools are exempt from donor's tax and considered as allowable deductions from the donor's gross income for income tax purposes as per the National Internal Revenue Code.
DepEd shall conduct regular monitoring and evaluation at least twice annually to ensure compliance with accreditation standards, with reports submitted to central offices for assessment and quality assurance.
The IRR took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, pursuant to Section 34 of the IRR.