Television Alternative Learning System Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG -5 P2:11 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING EDUCATION PROGRAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BASIC EDUCATION EXPLANATORY NOTE Following the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) implemented the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE- LCP) which outlined various learning modalities - face-to-face classes for very low risk areas with no history of infection; homeschooling which is facilitated by qualified parents, guardians or tutors; distance learning which includes the use of self-learning modules (SLMs), engagement using online platforms or videoconference, and television or radio-based instruction; and blended learning which combines any of the aforesaid modalities. From these modalities, blended learning using SLMs and television or radio, can be considered as the most accessible, given the additional budgetary expenses needed with regard to use of gadgets and the internet, and the health risks still present during the public health emergency. The agency launched the DepEd TV on August 2020. Since then, the program was able to reach eighteen (18) million school-aged viewers, mainly kids from two (2)

to twelve (12) years old. The DepEd TV has been airing in at least a dozen TV, radio, and cable operators throughout the country, and is also available on official DepEd online platforms on Facebook and YouTube. While face-to-face classes have fully resumed, the importance of the utilization of television broadcast to enhance the quality of education in the country cannot be discarded. Primarily, there are still students who need to reinforce their learnings from school because they were not able to fully understand the lessons, they need to review for exams, or they missed some classes due to extracurricular activities as in the case of student athletes. Also, schools still resort to alternative modes of learning during times of natural calamities including high heat indices. Finally, studies show that multimedia materials are helpful especially during the formative years of learning. The Year 2 Report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2 stated that, "quality multimedia resources also play a pivotal role in ECCD. The World Bank shared a longitudinal research demonstrating the efficacy of high- quality educational content delivered through television in fostering both cognitive development and socioemotional skills in young learners." Further, "high-quality television programs that blend education with entertainment have emerged as powerful tools for child development. Studies demonstrated that when children watch well-crafted educational shows, they gain valuable thinking skills and learn better ways to handle emotions and social situations." Based on this, EDCOM 2, among others, recommended that "the Philippine government should invest in culturally relevant educational multimedia programming as a scalable and cost-effective strategy to expand access to quality early childhood education particularly in underserved areas."? This measure seeks to institutionalize television broadcast education program as a practical and effective way to educate the students and make quality education accessible to all. 1 "DepEd TV reached 18 million school-aged viewership." https://www.deped.gov.ph/2021/12/29/deped-tv- reached-18-million-school-aged-viewership/ 2 EDCOM 2 - Publications

In pursuit of quality education for all, the immediate approval of this measure is highly recommended. 84%61 JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Pot tile women of the & TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -5 P2:11 SENATE RECEIVED E S. No. - Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING EDUCATION PROGRAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BASIC EDUCATION Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " Television Alternative

Learning System Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to protect

and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take 5 appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. The State shall also 6 encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self- learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that 8 respond to community needs. Toward this end, the State shall ensure the continuous delivery of "quality 10 education for all" through the alternative learning system of television broadcasting 11 education, even in times of crises, isolation, insurgencies, unrest, pandemics, and other calamities.

Sec. 3. Applicability. - This Act shall cover all public schools offering elementary

and high school education. This Act shall be applicable at all times especially during crisis such as insurgencies, unrests, pandemics, and other natural or man-made calamities that would hinder the physical presence and safety of students in schools.

Sec. 4. Television (TV) Broadcasting Education Program. - The Television (TV)

Broadcast Education Program is an alternative method of education where students can experience learning and attend classes either through aerial broadcasting of a live, real time class session or broadcasting of video lessons, specially produced content and instructional materials aligned with the basic education curriculum. Off-school students watching real time TV broadcast sessions should have the ability for interaction with the in-school class by means of available communication technologies like voice calls, text messages, chats and other media. Whenever possible, a modified off-school, in-school scheme should be adopted. 10 At least twenty percent (20%) in-school classroom physical presence should be 11 required to encourage interaction amongst students and teachers for the development of social and communication skill. The free TV broadcast education program airtime shall be the same as the prescribed hours needed under the regular classroom type mode of the Department of Education (DepEd) curriculum to assure quality education. To gain education progression credits, enrollment in person should be made in a school proximate to the students' residences. In cases where being physically present in school would extremely be difficult, students enrolled in regular classroom schooling can use the TV broadcast as an alternative learning system (ALS) upon DepEd approval.

Sec. 5. Partnership with Television Broadcasting Networks and Government

Agencies. - The DepEd shall partner with TV networks, national or regional, capable of covering aerial broadcasting to all areas of the country. DepEd should adopt teaching and instructional policies that adhere and complement the peculiarity of every region in respect to its customs, cultures, arts and laws. Government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) are mandated to provide the necessary assistance such as, but not limited to, the acquisition of dedicated frequencies, air time, or channels, provision of creative and technical requirements relative to the production of educational programs, and all other requirements needed for the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Continuous Airing of Educational Programs. - The DepEd shall endeavor

to implement continuous televised airing of educational programs and specially produced content even during semestral or annual academic breaks and during off- peak or outside school hours to make such instructional materials available for viewing for all students and any interested learner. Video lessons and relevant audiovisual content shall also be uploaded and made available on official online platforms of the DepEd.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this

9 Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd shall issue the

implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,