Establishment of the Strong Republic School (SRS), a distance learning school, to bring educational opportunities to identified disadvantaged communities

MALACAÑANG
Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

Executive Order No. 266 December 29, 2003

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STRONG REPUBLIC SCHOOL (SRS), A DISTANCE LEARNING SCHOOL, TO BRING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO IDENTIFIED DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

WHEREAS, the building of a Strong Republic requires an educated citizenry able to contribute to meeting the needs of the community;

WHEREAS, the combination of demographic growth, resource constraints and the socio-political conditions hampers government efforts to provide livelihood opportunities, education and other social services to the more remote and often conflict-ridden areas of the country;

WHEREAS, distance-learning technologies offer a way of meeting the development needs of these areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Establishment of SRS. The Strong Republic School (SRS), a Distance Learning Program shall be established under the Department of Education (DepEd). The SRS shall take a three-track approach: through the formal school system; through the alternative learning systems of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education; and...

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Summary of Executive Order No. 266

Establishment of the Strong Republic School (SRS)
- A distance learning program established under the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide educational opportunities to identified disadvantaged communities. (Section 1)

Objectives and Scope of SRS
- Expand delivery of alternative learning systems and provide access to formal school system for impoverished sectors. (Section 2)
- Offer entrepreneurship, livelihood, and skills development programs through other government agencies. (Section 2)
- Three components: (1) Strong Republic Alternative Learning Systems, (2) Strong Republic Basic Education Curriculum, and (3) Strong Republic Technical/Vocational Skills Training. (Section 2)

Priority Areas
- SRS will prioritize a group of remote and impoverished barangays in conflict areas. (Section 3)

DepEd SRS System
- Two-track approach: (1) Deliver basic literacy and Non-Formal Education A & E system for participants without formal schooling or dropouts, and (2) Provide assistance to formal school system with focus on MAKABAYAN learning areas using distance learning information technology. (Section 4)

Other Implementing Agencies
- DepEd as lead agency, with support from 15 other agencies listed, including Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, and others. (Section 5)
- Eskwela ng Bayan (ENB) to provide technical support. (Section 5)
- Office of the Secretary for the President's Priority Programs and Official Development Assistance Projects (PPPODAP) to consolidate recommendations and facilitate coordination. (Section 5)

Initial Funding
- Start-up fund of PhP 15 Million to be provided by DepEd for initial operations. (Section 6)
- Appropriations for succeeding years to be included in DepEd's budget proposal. (Section 6)

Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DepEd to lead formulation of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within 30 days from effectivity, in coordination with PPPODAP. (Section 7)

Effectivity
- Executive Order takes effect immediately. (Section 8)