DepED to pilot on-line education program in Baguio City

by Lito Dar

Baguio City (8 August) — In line with the country’s commitment to provide an “Education for All” by 2015, under the Millennium Development Goals, the Education Department (DepED-CAR) will be pilot- testing “On-line education” at the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS), as part of its Drop-Out Reduction Program (DORP).

According to BCNHS Principal, Dr. Elma Donaal, the existing Drop-Out Reduction Program of BCNHS consists of two components, the Effective Affordable Secondary Education or EASE and the Open High School.

Donaal explained that under the EASE component, they provide a modular program to currently enrolled students, who for some reasons (such as getting sick for a month) would experience a hard time coping with his studies, so as to prevent the student from dropping out.

In the Open High School, drop-out students who are not currently enrolled for some reasons (like marriage, having children or because of work) could be able to continue their studies through this program, wherein they need not need come to class daily but could continue studying by attending class once a week.

Donaal also proudly announced that they have already 56 graduates under the said program. “We have been proud of helping people who are enthusiastic to finish high school,” she said.

The “on-line education,” Donaal explained is an added innovation under the Open High School program. Drop out students can continue their studies through the internet. Instead of attending class once a week as in open high school, they do their lessons on line.

In the same forum, Donaal lauded the government’s effort, under the initiative of the President, for including education in its primary focus. Donaal is also grateful for the new salary increase given to teachers.

Donaal also affirmed that the state of education in Baguio, especially in BCNHS, is better today, not only in terms of teacher’s salary but also in terms of equipment. BCNHS is also a beneficiary of new classrooms/buildings under DepED’s School Building Program, aside from the on-going renovation of its oldest building in its main campus.

Donaal also stressed, that they are lucky in BCNHS because their teachers and even their non-teaching staff are involved in massive trainings, as part of the government’s effort to standardize everything in the education department, under its Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda. (PIA)