Open High School: Intervention to Cater Out of School Youth of Lun Padidu National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Education is on track in meeting its Education for All (EFA) commitment to bring all learners to school. Thus, the Drop Out Reduction Program (DORP) which is a project bythe Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) under the Department of Education (Department of Education) Central Office was initiated to reduce the high dropout rates in public schools by offering alternative modes of education for students at the risk of dropping out. OneofitsalternativeistheOpenHighschoolProgram. Lun Padidu National High School (LPNHS) has created several programs and interventions to save students who are at risk of dropping. Despite the various interventions given by the school toreduce drop out, there are still students who left school and eventually do not return school for several reasons.

METHODS

Frequencies and mean ratings were employed to further analyze the quantitative data gathered from various respondents. This study aimed to find out : the profile of learners in terms of age & gender; responses of learners related to their enrollment in the Open High School Program ; and the level of the learners' readiness based on the Independent Learning Readiness test (ILRT) of the learners and to make a plan of actions based on the findings and recommendations.

RESULTS

Results show that there are 15 male and 17 female learners a total of 32. Most of the learners are between 21-25 years of age composing of 38% of the total respondents. The age bracket of 15-20 is about 22 % followed by 26-30 which is 13 %, with 9% each for brackets 31-35 years old and up. Based on the foregoing data and information, the researcher concluded that there are more female than a male who enrolled in the Open High School Program of Lun Padidu National High School. Most of them are between 21 to 25 years old. The learners demonstrate the competencies with least or no supervision/assistance from the teacher. The total rating is 29.36, indicates that the learners are on the independent level. They have the capacity for self-directed learning. Although learners were found to be on the independent level, teachers are encouraged to pay attention in items where most of the learners demonstrated the competencies needing some supervision or assistance from them. Finally, learners have a strong determination to really finish their studies thus, parents need to intensify further their concerns, interest and support to their children’s education.

DISCUSSIONS

It is then recommended that a Program on Parental Involvement be designed and implemented to enhance parent's support to the schooling of their children. The School Drop Out Reduction Program ( DORP) shall capture the out of school youths who are supposed to be in school but do not have the privilege to be in school to enroll in ALS, the local government and other stakeholders will extend support to the learners and to Lun Padidu National High School to sustain their Open High School Program and an action researchbe conducted as to the impact of the Open High School Program implementation in reaching the out of school youth.