In early 2013, SEAMEO INNOTECH undertook an evaluation study to determine the current state of Open High School Program (OHSP) implementation in selected Open High Schools in the Philippines. The research study was funded through SEAMEO INNOTECH’s Research and Innovation Fund as part of the Center’s complimentary set of program interventions to support the Department of Education (DepEd)’s need for sustained technical support in operationalizing the new K to 12 Basic Education System.
The Open High School Program (OHSP) in the Philippines
The DepEd’s Open High School Program is an alternative secondary education program. Its aim is to provide an opportunity for elementary graduates, high school dropouts, and Philippine Education Placement Test (PEPT) passers to complete their high school education. Thus, the program prioritizes independent, self-paced study to make secondary education flexible and accessible to all learners.
Advantages and Disadvantages of OHSP
SEAMEO INNOTECH evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of open high school program years after its implementation.
As a program intended to help solve the high dropout rates in the Philippines, OHSP serves as an accessible alternative for individuals who were unable to attend regular classes. However, the program also poses some disadvantages. In particular, the program serves as an added burden for schools and teachers, further compounded by the lack of capacity building for teachers and updated learning materials.
Evaluating the Open High School Program in the Philippines
SEAMEO INNOTECH conducted an evaluation study of the Open High School Program to understand its impact on the education sector in the Philippines. The study was designed in close coordination with the DepEd Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) and the Open High School Coordination team with the following objectives:
- to examine the viability of the OHSP as an alternative delivery mode (ADM) for secondary education;
- to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the OHSP as an ADM strategy;
- to appraise the comparability of open high school (OHS) and regular high school students;
- to pinpoint aspects of the OSHP that need to be developed to ensure that it is in harmony with the new K to 12 curricular reforms.
The study was guided by the following questions:
- What did schools do to make the OHSP work?
- What aspects of the OHSP need to be strengthened?
- How comparable are the OHS and regular high school students in terms of their performance in five subjects, namely, math, science, English, Filipino, and araling panlipunan?
- Which component/s of the OHSP need/s to be improved to make it responsive to the new K to 12 program (Grades 7 to 12)?
The Evaluation Study on OHSP
This evaluation study assessed the Philippines’ Open High School Program’s effectiveness at making secondary education accessible and lowering dropout rates. The center for education development identified best practices and weaknesses and provided recommendations to strengthen the program further. The evaluation study emphasizes the importance of offering an alternative mode of learning that allows independent study to accommodate different student needs. Look into SEAMEO INNOTECH’s findings and insights on the Philippines’ OHSP here.
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Evaluation of the Open High School Program in the Philippines
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