Senate panel begins discussion on Tolentino’s distance learning enhancement bill

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

MANILA – The Senate Committee on Higher Education has begun tackling a proposed legislation that seeks to establish an office that will promote online and distance learning.

Principally authored by Senator Francis Tolentino, Senate Bill No. 1459 or “An Act Establishing the Tertiary Online Learning and Distance Education Office,” proposes the creation of the Tertiary Online Education and Distance Office, under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

In his opening statement, Tolentino thanked Senate tertiary education panel chair Senator Joel Villanueva for starting the committee deliberation on his proposal, which pushes for the creation of an agency that will spearhead the government’s open distance learning effort amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and other possible crises that may arise.

“The said Office will not only serve as the lead agency for open distance learning but also prescribe minimum curriculum requirements for online and distance learning,” he said.

Tolentino said his proposal will be at the forefront in the development of necessary policy guidelines and quality standards for the extensive implementation of online and distance learning, especially in times of national emergencies, calamities, and/or health crises.

If enacted into law, the measure will address the void in Republic Act No. 10650 or the “Open Distance Learning Act of 2014 “by reaching out to students in the tertiary level to make use of virtual learning platforms in times of calamity or crisis,” according to Tolentino.

“Amending this Act by creating said Office will eliminate the need for students to take a gap year due to lack of resources or worry about the possibility of being delayed in finishing their studies just so they can avoid the risk of contracting the novel Coronavirus or COVID-19,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)