Question & AnswerQ&A (IRR of Republic Act No. 10665)
The IRR primarily applies to public secondary educational institutions authorized to practice open learning through self-instructional materials, multi-channel learning, and school-family-community partnership, as well as other institutions authorized as qualified implementers of the Open High School System (OHSS).
The primary objective of the OHSS is to provide learners of high school age access to formal education through an alternative mode of delivery, especially targeting those who are unable to start or complete secondary education due to various difficulties.
The Open High School System (OHSS) is an alternative delivery mode of secondary education that emphasizes independent, self-paced, and flexible study for learners unable to complete secondary education due to issues like time constraints, distance, physical impairment, financial difficulties, or social and family problems. It includes the DepEd's Open High School Program (OHSP).
OHS Teachers are regular secondary school teachers of the mother high school responsible for direct instruction, evaluating learners' progress, and maintaining individual learner records. They may also be qualified teachers under relevant laws including RA 10533 and RA 7836 as amended by RA 9293.
A Mother High School or Inang Paaralan is a regular secondary school that maintains full administrative and instructional supervision over one or more learning centers, serving as the headquarters and coordination center for open learners and OHS teachers.
Schools must have in-school learning facilities like a library or computer lab and learning resources such as textbooks and self-learning modules approved by DepEd. Schools with substantial compliance to these and strong community partnerships can be authorized to implement OHSS.
Applicants need to present a high school report card if a drop-out, elementary report card for high school entrants, or A&E or PEPT certificate for ALS learners or high school qualifiers. They may also need to take readiness tests and interviews as part of screening.
Teacher Advisers provide support to learners, monitor their progress, conduct assessments, maintain performance records, guide learners in career decisions, ensure registration in DepEd's Learner Information System, and perform delegated functions by the School Head.
The OHSS adopts the K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum, using the standards and learning competencies from its different subject areas to ensure robust secondary education.
Schools must implement the program per DepEd guidelines, designate an OHSS School Coordinator, work with LGUs, identify participants, include OHSS in their improvement plans, establish Learning Management Programs, coordinate facility use, conduct evaluations, and engage learners through conferences and home visits.
DepEd regularly monitors compliance and evaluates OHSS effectiveness through enrollment rates, drop-out reduction, completion and promotion rates, stakeholder feedback, and learner assessments, and may suggest program amendments.