Question & AnswerQ&A (IRR of Republic Act No. 10665)
The official title is the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10665, otherwise known as the "Open High School System Act."
The provisions primarily apply 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 OHSS is an alternative delivery mode under the formal system that emphasizes independent, self-paced, and flexible study to reach learners unable to start or complete secondary education due to time, distance, physical impairment, financial difficulties, social or family problems, or other difficult circumstances.
The specific objectives are: 1) To retain in school learners-at-risk of dropping out, 2) To encourage out-of-school youth (OSY) of high school age (12-18) to return to formal school, 3) To encourage all youth and adults who finished elementary education or are high school qualifiers of PEPT and ALS A&E Test to proceed to secondary education, and 4) To contribute to the accomplishment of UNESCO Education 2030 Vision, "No One Left Behind."
ADM refers to alternative ways of delivering education within the formal school system catering to learners under unique circumstances hindering regular classroom attendance. This includes the OHSS, Home School Program, and Night High School.
An OHS Teacher is a regular secondary school teacher of the mother high school responsible for direct instruction, evaluation of learners’ progress, and record keeping. It may include qualified secondary education teachers under Republic Acts related to teacher professionalization.
The Mother High School is a regular secondary school that maintains full administrative management and instructional supervision over one or more learning centers. It serves as the headquarters for open learners and teachers, center for enrollment and evaluation, receiver of donations and reports, and coordinator of learning centers in the community.
They should have in-school learning facilities and equipment (e.g., library, workshops, computer lab) and learning resources such as textbooks, learner materials, self-learning modules, activity sheets, and teacher’s guides approved by DepEd. Substantial compliance and strong partnership with LGUs and community facilities may also qualify a school.
Schools must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) addressed to the Regional Director, endorsed by the School Division Superintendent, and copy furnished to the Bureau of Learning Delivery of DepEd. Additional requirements and procedures may be prescribed by DepEd through separate orders.
Community Advisers and Source Persons are hired by the Local Government Unit (LGU) and receive honoraria arranged with the local school board in consultation with DepEd. Upon full K to 12 implementation, the responsible DepEd school division office shall hire and compensate Source Persons.
The Teacher Adviser monitors learner progress, conducts periodic assessments, maintains learner performance records, refers learners to subject teachers when necessary, guides in career and employment decisions, ensures learners are registered in DepEd’s Learner Information System, and performs delegated functions from the School Head.
Each OHSS class shall have a maximum enrollment of twenty (20) learners.
OHSS adopts the K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum using the standards and learning competencies of different subject areas of the program.
OHSS learners are expected to attend orientation with parents or guardians, study independently or in groups, consult subject teachers or community resource persons, attend face-to-face or asynchronous sessions as needed, monitor their own progress, keep and submit quarterly portfolios, and complete and submit assigned modules on time.
A Registered Guidance Counselor in the school should provide guidance interviews and counseling. If none is available, the school must engage a professional guidance counselor in coordination with DSWD or LGU or private partners. Teacher Advisers may conduct career advocacy activities but shall not perform acts requiring registered guidance counselors.