Cebu pushed to implement open high school program

Cebu has yet to adopt the open high school program (OHSP) of the Department of the Education, an alternative mode of delivering secondary education that will benefit children from indigent families.

The OHSP will provide learners of high school age with access to formal education that is independent, self-pacing and flexible to study.

Its targets are learners who are unable to start or complete secondary education because of social factors or family problems.

DepEd-7 secondary division chief Marcial Degamo said that the Dumaguete National High School in Negros Oriental was first chosen by DepEd central office as the pilot school for OHSP about two years ago.

"The effectiveness of this program in Cebu will depend on the readiness of the school," Degamo said.

He defined readiness as availability of modules and trained teachers.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said it also refers to availability of potential early school leavers or students at risk of dropping out, in-school learning and community facilities and equipment, and certification of financial support for the program from the local government unit by public schools.

From December last year to May this year, regional directors and schools division superintendents are developing updated distance learning modules for first and second year high school students.

Education supervisor Josefina Samson said the modules will go directly to the pilot schools.

"If one of the schools in Cebu will implement the OHSP, then we will give them a copy of these modules," Samson said.

She added that some schools, especially private, are hesitant to adopt the program because they think that they will not be able to monitor their students.

However, Lapus assured that OHSP teachers are monitoring the learners' progress regularly by conducting periodic assessment, maintaining complete records of their performance, and referring them to the appropriate subject area for assistance when necessary. - Jasmin R. Uy/BRP