DepEd opens program for high school dropouts

To further provide access to education for all, the Department of Education implemented its Open High School Program (OHSP), an alternative mode of delivering secondary education for both public and private schools in the country.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus through DepED Order No. 46 said that the program aims to retain in school potential dropouts, encourage out-of-school youths of high school age to return to school and to contribute to the Education for All (EFA 2015) target which aims to achieve a 100-percent participation rate and zero drop-out rate by year 2015."

OHSP puts premium on independent, self-pacing and flexible study to reach learners who are unable to start or complete secondary education due to problems on time, distance, physical impairment, financial difficulties or family problems. It provides learners of high school age access to formal secondary education through an alternative mode of delivery.

"Our Constitution recognizes the right of every individual access to basic education," Lapus said, "it is therefore our duty to ensure that these educational opportunities are made available to them even if it means going outside of the formal school system."

The OHSP is an alternative mode of delivering secondary education through independent and self-paced learning. The program addresses the needs of learners who are unable to start or complete their secondary education due to physical, economic or geographical limitations that prevent them from attending school full-time.

The program also aims to keep potential dropouts in school, as well as encourage out-of-school youth of high school age to return to school.

Learners under the OHSP shall utilize various modules, textbooks and other learning materials. In addition, in-school and community learning facilities and equipment in various locations will also be made accessible to them.

The program is open to all Filipino learners between the ages of 12 to 16, who can demonstrate a capacity for independent learning and are willing to undertake self-directed learning.

About 28 schools from different regions nationwide have been identified for the pilot implementation of the OHSP this coming school year 2007-2008.

"Through this program, we aim to bring education closer to our youth so that they can acquire the education they need for them to become productive citizens," Lapus added. - Jasmin R. Uy/BRP