AUGUST 27, 2011

NR # 2508

House approves open learning and distance education system

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the bill that will expand access to education through open learning and distance education in post secondary and tertiary levels. House Bill 4883 applies to public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) and post-secondary technical/vocational schools in the Philippines which have existing open learning and distance education programs and to others which shall later be authorized as qualified implementors of open learning and distance education programs. The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) is designated as the national open university and, among others, will provide leadership in the development of open learning and distance education expertise and in the appropriate use of information and communications technologies in support of quality higher education. The bill shall provide a mode of delivery of the open learning philosophy and encourage due diligence to assure equivalence or comparability with existing standards in both the traditional/residential or alternative education systems, said Rep. Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Pias City), a principal author of the bill. The bill, to be known as the Open Learning and Distance Education Act of 2011, outlines the admission and other academic policies and requirements, program, curriculum and course development offerings and requirements in HEIs offering distance education programs, as well as support to open learning and distance education programs and to students. Under the bill, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall be the respective regulators of HEIs and post secondary schools involved in open learning and distance education. They shall also formulate, promulgate, disseminate and implement the necessary policies, standards, guidelines, rules and regulations for the effective implementation of distance education in the country. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), together with other reputable research institutions, shall be tapped by the CHED and the TESDA to conduct an independent evaluation of the state, regulatory governance, quality, concerns, challenges and prospects of open learning and distance education in the Philippines. It shall survey a diverse group of HEIs with respect to size, mission and geographic distribution, said Rep. Carmen Zamora-Apsay (1st District, Compostela Valley), a co-author of the bill.

The DOST shall submit an interim report regarding the evaluation not later than six months, and a final report regarding such evaluation not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, to the CHED Chair and the TESDA Director-General, the Senate Committee on Education, Culture and the Arts, and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, Zamora-Apsay added. According to Zamora-Apsay, who is a Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, broadcast media and telecommunications networks are encouraged to provide as much assistance and cooperation to HEIs offering open learning and distance education. Their transmission of learning materials is uniquely helpful for formal and non formal courses to learners not only within the Philippines, but also outside the country, most especially our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), Zamora-Apsay said. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the respective budgets of the CHED, the TESDA, the UPOU and HEIs and post-secondary technical/vocational schools which have existing open learning and distance education programs in the annual General Appropriations Act. Aside from Villar and Zamora-Apsay, other authors of the measure are Reps. Rufus B. Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. (Party List, Abante Mindanao), Juan Edgardo M. Angara (Lone District, Aurora), the Chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, Marcelino R. Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City), Luis R. Villafuerte (3rd District, Camarines Sur), Mark Aeron H. Sambar (Party List, PBA), Aurora Enerio-Cerilles (2nd District, Zamboanga del Sur), Tomas V. Apacible (1st District, Batangas), Jane T. Castro (2nd District, Capiz), Joseph Victor G. Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City), Salvador H. Escudero, III (1 st District, Sorsogon), Monique Yazmin Q. Lagdameo (1st District, Makati), Jocelyn S. Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental), Mel Senen S. Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar) and Jerry P. Treas (Lone District, Iloilo City). (30) jsc