MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) has boosted its homeschooling program as an alternative delivery mode (ADM).
Homeschooling was introduced in 1997 as one of the ADMs offered by any public or private school in response to the needs of learners who are unable to attend formal school due to medical conditions or family circumstances.
“Aside from our current interventions, we have strengthened our Homeschooling Program to ensure our learners have choices in attaining quality education,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said in a news release on Thursday.
“This will help our learners who need more regular parental support and supervision, especially in our current public health situation,” she added.
Under DepEd Order No. 001, s. 2022, the agency has updated its guidelines, standards, and procedures for the said program, which offers families options in deciding on and addressing their children’s access issues.
Based on the revised policy, if the country remains in a state of emergency, the focus of the instruction shall be on the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs). If the MELCs are no longer used in subsequent school years, the K to 12 Curriculum will be implemented for the program.
The order also emphasizes that parents or guardians are responsible for monitoring their children’s work and progress, as well as being the primary agents of the teacher-learning process, as well as its design and implementation.
Meanwhile, school administrators have been directed to appoint a homeschool coordinator who will be in charge of enrolling students, monitoring their progress, and assisting parents or guardians during the implementation process.
Homeschool students should also be given textbooks and modules in print or digital format, including conducive learning environment at home and a learning plan outlining the learning area, learning competencies, and learning tasks.
All learners enrolled in the program must take the National Career Assessment Examination and the National Achievement Test to determine their academic level, strengths and weaknesses, and knowledge gained throughout the year.
Both public and private schools may offer the homeschool program as an ADM.
Private schools must have a permit to offer the program, while public schools should obtain the regional officer’s authorization.
