Law Summary
Declaration of Policy and Rationale
- Education is an inalienable right for every individual regardless of background.
- The Constitution mandates access to quality basic education through formal and alternative learning systems.
- OHSS is an alternative delivery mode within the formal system focusing on flexible, independent, self-paced study.
- Targets learners unable to start or complete secondary education due to constraints like time, geography, physical impairment, finances, or social issues.
Goals and Objectives
- General objective: Provide secondary education access through alternative delivery.
- Specific objectives:
- Retain learners at risk of dropping out.
- Encourage out-of-school youth (12-18 years) to return to school.
- Enable elementary graduates and equivalency test passers to pursue secondary education.
- Support UNESCO Education 2030 vision "No One Left Behind."
- OHSS extends the formal system’s access to secondary education without prejudice to other modalities like ALS.
Definitions
- Clear definitions of key terms such as Act, Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM), Alternative Learning System (ALS), Community Adviser, Formal Education System, Learning Center, Mother High School, Open High School Teacher, Source Person, and Teacher Adviser.
- ADM includes Home School Program and Night High School.
- OHSS emphasizes learner-centered, flexible education.
- Teacher Adviser may provide limited guidance counseling but cannot replace licensed professional counselors.
Establishment of OHSS
- OHSS established as part of DepEd’s alternative secondary education program.
- Public and private schools may participate upon meeting criteria such as facilities and learning resources.
- Schools must submit a Letter of Intent to the Regional Director endorsed by the School Division Superintendent.
- Division offices to designate OHSS coordinators and conduct regular monitoring.
- Learning centers to be established in mother high schools, managed by full-time OHS Teachers.
- An OHSS Unit within DepEd's curriculum office to formulate policies, develop materials, coordinate with partners, and recommend budget.
Recruitment and Training of Personnel
- OHS Teachers and Teacher Advisers to be selected from existing teaching staff.
- Community Advisers and Source Persons hired by LGUs and compensated accordingly.
- DepEd to prioritize qualified locally hired teachers and follow established hiring policies.
- Training programs for teaching and non-teaching personnel coordinated by DepEd with LGUs and NGOs.
- Teacher Advisers monitor and support learners, conduct assessments, maintain performance records, and guide career choices.
- Teaching load and service credit provisions established for OHS Teachers and Advisers.
Learner Admission and Requirements
- OHSS open to youth and adults who completed elementary education or who passed equivalency tests.
- Entrance requirements include report cards or certificates and passing Independent Learning Readiness and Reading Inventory tests.
- Learner and parent/guardian interviews and home visits to gather socio-economic and psycho-social background.
- Orientation and signing of learning contracts specifying roles, learning modules, and schedules.
- Class size limited to 20 learners grouped by reading level.
Curriculum and Instruction
- OHSS adopts K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum.
- Learning is flexible, multi-channeled, and learner-directed with regular consultations shifting from weekly to monthly.
- Modules issued and retrieved based on learning contracts; deadlines may be adjusted with school notification.
- Learners are expected to attend orientations, study independently or collaboratively, consult teachers/resource persons, and submit work timely.
- Progress closely supervised through teacher coordination and home visits if needed.
- Assessment follows DepEd policies including standardized tests for retention and promotion.
Partnerships and Linkages
- Private schools may establish OHSS learning centers subject to DepEd approval and agreements.
- DepEd and DILG encouraged to enter MOAs defining roles for OHSS implementation.
- LGUs and communities to assist with learner referrals, advocacy, resource identification, and opportunities for learner engagement.
- Schools responsible for OHSS implementation planning, coordination, evaluation, and direct learner engagement.
- School Division Offices (SDOs) and Regional Offices provide permitting, quality assurance, technical assistance, monitoring, and resource support.
Evaluation and Review
- DepEd mandates regular evaluation of OHSS based on enrollment, dropout reduction, completion rates, stakeholder feedback, and learner assessments.
- Compliance monitoring and review of guidelines to improve program effectiveness.
- Encouragement of research on OHSS at division and regional levels.
Appropriations and Final Provisions
- Initial funding charged to DepEd’s OHSP appropriations.
- Continued funding included in annual General Appropriations Act.
- DepEd in consultation with DILG may issue additional implementing guidelines and amendments.
- Separability clause ensures validity of remaining provisions if parts are unconstitutional.
- Repeal of inconsistent existing rules and orders.
- IRR effective fifteen days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.