Senate okays bill providing more access to out-of-school youth

Senate of the Philippines. Wikipedia photo

MANILA — The Senate approved on third and final reading on Monday a bill making education more accessible to the out-of-school youth and adults by providing them alternative secondary education program.

Voting 16-0, the senators approved Senate Bill No. 2277 or the Open High School System Act authored by Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Miriam Defensor Santiago, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Ralph Recto and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

The bill aims to utilize multimedia learning and teaching technologies that would allow high school learners to study on their own pace without attending classes in the conventional classroom.

”The use of print, radio, television, computer-based communications and other multi-media will be utilized to deliver educational services to high school students,” Senator Pia Cayetano, the bill’s sponsor and chairperson of the committee on education, said.

Under the proposed law, the Bureau of Secondary Education of the Department of Education (DepEd) will create a separate unit to handle the alternative education program.

The Open High School System shall be open to qualified students 18 years of age and below who have finished their elementary education, and to those who have passed the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT).

Students above 18 years of age who wish to complete their high school education shall be referred to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the DepEd.

According to the bill, every division of the DepEd shall establish learning centers in the authorized mother high schools located in their jurisdiction.

The Local Government Units (LGUs) may also provide assistance for the establishment of learning centers under the authority of a recognized mother high school.