Public consultations on Open and Distance Learning Act kick off at UPOU.On 24 April 2015, the UP Open University hosted the first public consultation on the proposed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10650 (Open and Distance Learning Act). Since its approval in December 2014, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Technical Panel on Transnational Education and Distance Education (TP-TNEDE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and UP Open University (UPOU) have been working on the rules and regulations for the implementation of the said law.
Three consultations are scheduled for all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) around the country. This first consultation was held at the Centennial Center for Digital Learning Auditorium at the UP Open University Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. UPOU was mandated by the law to assist TESDA and CHED in the promotion of ODL in the country.
Dr. Melinda Lumanta, UPOU Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs welcomed all the participants and explained the purpose of the event. Dr. Amelia A. Biglete, Director IV, CHED- Office of Programs and Standards Development, presented the salient points of RA 10650. Dr. Felicidad B. Zurbano, Assistant Director of the National Institute for Technical Education & Skills Development, TESDA and Grace Javier Alfonso, Chancellor of the UP Open University and Chair of the CHED-TP-TNEDE, presented the proposed Implementing Rules and Regulation of RA 10650.
A plenary discussion was conducted after the presentation of the proposed IRR of RA 10650. The panel was composed the CHED TP-TNEDE members, Prof. Ninia Calaca, Dr. Belen Tangco, Ms. Lilian Reventar, Dr. Alfonso, Dr. Biglete and Dr. Zurbano.
Among the issues raised at the forum included the accreditation requirements for HEIs and TVIs interested in offering ODL courses, learner assessment in ODL, and tax incentives for donors to ODL programs. All the questions brought up were addressed and noted by the CHED TP-TNEDE for consideration in the formulation of the final IRR.
Dr. Melinda dP. Bandalaria, Dean of the UPOU Faculty of Information and Communication Studies, moderated the discussion and was the program's master of ceremonies.
About 300 participants from 158 educational institutions from the Luzon region attended the event.
Other public consultations will be held on 05 May 2015 in Davao for education institutions in Minadano, and on 06 May in Cebu for institutions in the Visayas. (Anna Cañas-Llamas)
