TESDA CIRCULAR
SUBJECT: Guidelines in implementing flexible No. ________ series 2020
learning in TVET through Blended Page of
Learning
Date Issued: Effectivity: Supersedes:
April 27, 2020 As indicated
In the interest of the service and in line with the policy direction in the
Operational Plan (OPLAN) TVET Abot Lahat: Towards the New Normal, this Circular
is hereby issued to provide guidelines to the private and public Technical Vocational
Institutions in the implementation of flexible Learning in technical vocational
education and training (TVET) in the country.
I. STATEMENT OF POLICY
It is hereby declared the policy of the Agency to expand access to quality
TVET in the country through the provision of responsive policies and
institutionalization of flexible learning that recognizes the use of any or
combination of the different learning delivery modes such as the eLearning,
Blended Learning, Distance Learning and the traditional Face-to-Face
Learning; pursuant to pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise
known as the TESDA Act of 1994, Republic Act No. 10650 or the Open
Distance Education Act and Republic Act no. 11230 or the Tulong Trabaho
Act.
II. DEFINITION OF TERMS
a. Blended Learning is a strategic and systematic approach to combining
times and modes of learning, integrating the best aspects of face-to-face
and online. (Saliba, Rankine and Cortes, 2013). (TESDA Circular No. 104 s.
2019)
The formal education program in which a learner/student learns at least in part
through the online delivery of content and instruction, with some element
of student control over time, place, path and pace and at least in part at a
supervised brick-and-mortar location. Blended learning includes an
intentional shift to online instructional delivery for a portion of the course to
boost learning. (Staker and Horn, 2012) (TESDA Circular No. 104 s. 2019).
b. Competency-Based Curriculum refers to the specifications for a program
or module, which describes all the learning experiences a learner
undergoes. It generally includes learning outcomes, contents, conditions,
methodologies, and assessment methods. It specifies outcomes, which
are consistent with the requirements of the workplace as defined in the
TRs or based on industry or community consultations and/or supported by
a demand or employability study for NTR. (TESDA Circular No. 089 s.
2018)
c. Competency-Based Learning Materials (CBLM) is a well-designed and
carefully developed learning materials (hard or soft copy) that provide
detailed instruction to guide and help learner acquire the necessary
knowledge, skills and attitude of specific unit of competency on a self-
phase learning modality. It contains the learner guide, list of competencies,
summary of competencies, summary of learning outcomes, learning
experiences, information sheet, self-check, tasks sheet, operation sheet,
job sheet, and performance criteria checklist.
d. Competency-Based Training (CBT) refers to a system by which the
learner acquires a competency or a qualification based on demonstrated
ability rather than on the time spent on training. (TESDA Circular No. 090 s.
2018)
e. E-Learning is an umbrella term for providing computer instruction
(courseware) online over the public internet, private distance learning
networks or in-house via an intranet. (TESDA Circular No. 104 series of 2019)
f. Face-to-Face Learning is an instructor-led training in a traditional
classroom setting. (TESDA Circular No. 37, s. 2009)
g. Flexible Learning is the provision of a range of learning modes or
methods giving learners greater choice of when, where and how they
learn. (NCVER 2013, Australia)
h. Learning Outcomes are clear statements of what a learner can be
expected to know, understand and/or do as a result of a learning
experience. (IRR of RA No. 10968)
i. Nominal Duration refers to the estimated learning hours, which indicate
the time for an average person to achieve the learning outcomes of the
units of competency, inclusive of classroom contact time. laboratory/field
work/practicum and other methods of study/assignments as defined in the
Training Regulation. It is an indicative duration per qualification based on
experts’ consensus or advise that will also serve as a guide to the TVET
providers in the delivery of the Qualification depending on specific
guidelines to be issued by the TESDA Director general. (Source: TVET
Glossary of Terms 2017)
j. On-Line Program refers to a TVET program that can be accessed
primarily or entirely through the use of an internet-connected computer or
mobile device. (TESDA Circular No. 33 s. 2017)
k. TESDA Online Program (TOP) is an open educational resource that aims
to make technical education more accessible to Filipino citizens through
the use of information and communication technologies. TOP provides an
effective and efficient way to deliver technical education and skills
development services to a broader audience/wide range of users/all
learners at a lesser cost. (eTESDA)
l. Technical Vocational Institution (TVI) refer to an institution whether
public or private offering TVET program(s). This shall include TESDA
Technology Institutions (TTIs), Private and Public Technical Vocational
Institutions, and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), State Universities
and Colleges (SUCs) Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), Training
Centers and enterprise offering TVET programs (Source: TESDA Circular
No. 7 s2020)
III. COVERAGE
These Guidelines cover the implementation conditions and requirements in pursuing
Blended Learning as a delivery mode for TVET
IV. FRAMEWORK FOR BLENDED LEARNING AND ONLINE LEARNING IN
TVET
V. ROLES
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The National Institute of TESD shall perform the following roles:
i. Recommend policies for the continuing development and
improvement of flexible learning delivery systems for TVET;
ii. Develop more TVET courses relevant to the current and emerging
job requirements;
iii. Upgrade the TOP system with automated analytic capability
iv. Establish partnership with other Online training providers and
vendors;
v. Provide technical assistance in making the TTIs eLearning-ready;
vi. Deploy the TOPs to the TTIs to become credit courses;
2. The National Trainers Training Academy (NTTA) shall:
i. Develop and implement eLearning programs for trainers,
supervisors and administrators;
ii. Capacitate regional lead trainers and supervisors to develop
eLearning instructional materials and deliver eLearning programs.
iii. Monitor the multiplier programs at the regions and/or provinces.
3. The Regional/Provincial Directors shall:
i. Promote among the TVIs the direction to adopt flexible learning
using the Blended Learning in delivering TVET programs;
ii. Provide administrative and technical assistance to the TTIs in
making them eLearning ready;
iii. Strengthen the Regional Technical Review and Evaluation
Committee (RTREC);
iv. Monitor compliance of the TVIs to quality requirements in
implementing flexible learning modes;
v. Submit reportorial requirements.
4. The TVIs shall perform the following:
i. Facilitate the provision of internet, ICT infrastructure and equipment
needed to make their respective institutions eLearning ready;
ii. Develop and digitize the CBLMs and other instructional materials;
iii. Provide Learning Management System for Full Online Learning and
Blended using Online Learning;
iv. Capacitate the trainers to develop eLearning materials and deliver
TVET programs using eLearning mode;
v. Institutionalize flexible learning in the delivery of TVET programs
vi. Monitor and submit reports.
VI. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLENDED LEARNING DELIVERY MODE
1. The Blended Learning shall be adopted in delivering TVET programs that
require the use of training equipment or learning systems in performing
trainer-supervised practice sessions and institutional assessment.
2. Components of the Blended Learning:
i. The Blended Learning shall be delivered using the Face-to-Face
and e-Learning platforms.
ii. The Face-to-Face component shall be conducted at the
Competency-Based Training (CBT) workshops with the supervision
of the trainer.
iii. The eLearning component shall be conducted online and/or offline.
The Online Learning uses Learning Management System (LMS),
including web-based classroom and open eLearning resources. The
Offline Learning may use digitized learning materials, audio-visual
and other electronic or computer-enabled learning resources.
3. Criteria and Conditions in Using Blended Learning
In the implementation of the Blended Learning, the following conditions
shall be available:
i. Competency Based Curriculum that reflects the mix of Face-to-
Face, Online and/or Offline learning modalities.
ii. Learning facility (CBT workshop) and equipment needed to carry
out the face-to face and Institutional Assessment components of the
program.
iii. Competency-Based Learning Materials (CBLMs) in print and digital
or e-book format and other instructional materials;
iv. WAN-based, LAN-based or Cloud-based LMS for Online Learning;
v. Trainer or Learning Facilitator with competencies and pedagogies
to deliver eLearning;
vi. ICT infrastructure for training; and
vii. Technical Support System for trainers in terms of teaching
requirements and learning facilities and for trainees in terms of
learning guides, coaching and mentoring.
4. Registration of New TVET Program Using the Blended Learning Mode
i. For new TVET program that will use the Blended Learning Mode,
the TVI shall register the program to the TESDA Provincial/District
Office following the registration process and requirements provided
in TESDA Circular No. 103, s 2019.
5. Recognition of Registered TVET Program Using the Blended Learning
Mode
i. For currently registered TVET program that will use the Blended
Learning Mode, the TVI is not required to register the program but
to operate under its existing registration. However, the TVI shall
submit to the TESDA Provincial/District Director a letter of intent to
adopt Blended Learning mode in delivering their registered TVET
program with the requirements listed in Section 6;
ii. The Provincial Director shall endorse to the Regional Director the
letter of intent from the TVIs for approval.
iii. The Regional Director shall convene the RTREC to evaluate the
capacity of the TVI prior issuance of the Certificate of Approval
(CoA).
iv. A copy of the certificate and the requirements submitted shall form
part of the updated registration documents of the TVI.
6. Requirements in Approving Request for the use of Blended Learning
The TVI shall comply the following list of requirements prior the issuance
of a Certificate of Approval for using Blended Learning in delivering the
registered TVET program:
i. A certified true copy of the Certificate of Training Program
Registration (CTPR) for WTR/NTR TVET program that will adopt
the Blended Learning delivery mode.
ii. A copy of the revised Course Design/Structure of the Competency
Based Curriculum
iii. A copy of the Trainees Guide or Study Guide
iv. List and description of ICT Infrastructure to support eLearning such
as the Learning Management System, computers, digitized learning
materials, etc., whichever are applicable
v. A student test account (username and password and/or enrollment
codes) in the LMS for purposes of testing and inspection
vi. The list and qualifications of the concerned faculty and technical
staff involved in implementing the Blended Learning
vii. The NTTC of the trainer involved and evidence of training or
capability to develop eLearning materials and/or facilitate
eLearning.
viii. Other support system provided to trainers and trainees to ensure a
responsive training condition.
VII. Recognition of the TESDA Online Program when Using Blended/Online
Learning Mode:
i. The TVI shall recognize the Certificates of Completion achieved by
an enrolled learner from completing a full qualification or a module/s
of a qualification in the TOP with corresponding equivalency credit
vis-à-vis the curriculum of the TVI.
ii. The TOP can be used as an Online eLearning platform for the TVI,
subject to eTESDA policy on provision of class-user credential.
iii. The TOP can be deployed to the TESDA Technology Institutions
(TTIs) subject to their readiness to implement online learning mode.
VIII. Training Completion under the Blended Learning
i. The learner may exit the program at any time within the nominal
duration as a graduate after satisfactorily achieving all the Learning
Outcomes of the TVET program, including the Institutional
Assessment and other institutional requirements.
ii. The Certificate of Training shall reflect the Learning Outcomes
achieved and the nominal duration of the program. It shall be issued
only after compliance to the mandatory National Competency
Assessment, if applicable.
iii. In the case of program not fully completed, the Certificate of
Achievement is issued to learners for the modules achieved.
2. Monitoring and Reporting of Enrollment and Graduate under the Blended
Learning
i. Consistent with TESDA Circular No. 2, s2017 or the TESDA
Training Monitoring Information System Implementing Policies and
Guidelines, training, assessment and certification reports shall be
submitted through the TESDA Training Monitoring and Information
System (T2MIS).
ii. Following the CBT principles of individualized learning and multiple
exit, the T2MIS shall adapt to this new terminal reporting of
graduates.
IX. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FULL ONLINE LEARNING DELIVERY MODE
1. Full Online Learning may be adopted for TVET programs where the use of
physical classroom/workshop is not relevant given the learners’ capacity to
learn both the knowledge and skills components via internet from outside
the campuses of the TVI.
2. Criteria and Conditions in Using Full Online Learning
The following requirements shall be available in implementing Full Online
Learning:
i. Competency Based Curriculum that reflects pure Online Learning
as the delivery mode for the TVET program
ii. Digitized Competency-Based Learning Materials (CBLMs) and
other online learning structured instructional materials;
iii. Learning Management System (eg. MOODLE, Edmodo, Google
Classroom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) that delivers the content,
instructional resources and institutional assessments and provide
interactive and collaborative workspaces under the virtual
supervision of the Learning Facilitator.
iv. WAN-based, LAN-based or Cloud-based LMS hosting
v. Learning Facilitator with competencies and pedagogies to deliver
eLearning;
vi. High speed internet connection
vii. eLearning infrastructure and facilities; and
viii. Technical Support System for the trainer and the trainees
3. Registration of the TVET Program Using Full Online Learning
i. The TVI shall register the program to the TESDA Provincial/District
Office following the registration requirements provided in TESDA
Circular No. 103, s 2019 and applicable provisions in the existing
UTPRAS Guidelines
ii. The following requirements shall be submitted as part of the
registration documents:
● A copy of the CBC that reflects pure Online Learning as the
delivery mode for the TVET program
● A test student account for purposes of inspection and
evaluation of the LMS by the RTREC who will check for the
completeness and alignment of the eLearning materials as
stated in the CBC
● List and description of ICT Infrastructure to support
eLearning such as the Learning Management System,
computers, digitized learning materials, etc.
● The list and qualifications of the concerned faculty and
technical staff involved in implementing the Full Online
Learning
● The NTTC of the trainer involved
● Evidence of training or capability to develop eLearning
materials and/or facilitate eLearning.
● Evidence of support system for the trainers and trainees to
ensure a responsive training condition.
X. REPEALING CLAUSE
The provisions of TESDA Circular No. 103 s.2019 on the Omnibus
Guidelines in the Registration of eLearning Programs and TESDA Circular
No. 104 s.2019 on Guidelines in the Implementation of eLearning TVET
Programs inconsistent with this Circular are hereby repealed
XI. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
Should any provisions or portion of this Circular be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, all the other provisions of this Circular shall remain
valid and operational.
XII. EFFECTIVITY
This Circular takes effect as indicated.
SEC. ISIDRO S. LAPEÑA, PhD., CSEE
Director General
