Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10650)
The short title of Republic Act No. 10650 is the 'Open Distance Learning Act.'
The policy is to expand and democratize access to quality tertiary education by promoting and applying open learning philosophy and the use of distance education as an efficient and effective system of delivering higher and technical educational services in the Philippines.
Distance education is a mode of learning where students and teachers are physically separated; it is student-centered, guided independent study using well-designed learning materials and pedagogies via various media, also called flexible or distributed learning.
ODL is a system merging open learning and distance education concepts, combining methodologies of distance education with flexible learning philosophies to provide access to education regardless of barriers like location, time, or economic situation.
Public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) and post-secondary schools in the Philippines with existing or authorized ODL programs are covered by the Act.
The principles include learner centeredness, quality and relevant programs equivalent to traditional modes, transparency for informed choices, peer review by experts, public responsibility, accountability, and continuous quality improvement.
They must conform to the minimum policies, standards, and requirements set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and/or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as applicable.
ODL programs may be delivered through print materials, audio-visual media (like radio, TV, video conferencing), electronic/computer technology (internet, e-learning platforms), and face-to-face sessions at learning centers.
Support includes teacher training, curriculum and learning material development, cyber infrastructure planning, school operations and management development, and establishing networks and linkages with learning or testing centers.
Students have access to the same privileges as students in conventional systems including scholarships, grants-in-aid, loans, clear admission policies, faculty-student interaction, communication and feedback systems, academic progress monitoring, and access to relevant learning resources.
UPOU provides leadership in ODL development, promotes best practices, offers technical assistance to CHED and TESDA, designs model curricular programs, develops learning materials, helps build expertise and professionalization, and assists other institutions in ODL.
Zonal ODL centers support CHED and TESDA by assisting in tasks including training teachers for ODL programs and are established in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and eventually in each region.
They are tasked to formulate policies and standards for ODL, improve quality and implement quality control, monitor and evaluate ODL programs, approve or disapprove new ODL program proposals, and recommend budgets for ODL programs of state HEIs and schools.
Yes, donations, contributions, bequests, and grants supporting ODL programs are exempt from donor's tax and are deductible from gross income for income tax purposes under the National Internal Revenue Code.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.