1.

TESDA CIRCULAR
SUBJECT: OMNIBUS GUIDELINES IN THE Page No.1 of 10 pages
REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING
PROGRAMS Number ing , series of 2019

Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

Date Issued:
TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
September 3, 2019
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

In the interest of service, TESDA Circular No. 37 series of 2009 or the "Implementing
Guidelines in the Registration of e-Learning Training Programs" is hereby amended to comply
with the Republic Act No. 10650, otherwise known as the Open Distance Learning Act of
2014.

I. STATEMENT OF POLICIES

1. The 1987 Constitution under Article XIV Section 1 declares that the State shall
"protect and promote the rights of all citizens to quality education at all levels and
shall take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all."

2. The Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise known as the TESDA Act of 1994,
mandates the institution to promote and strengthen the quality of technical
education and skills development programs to attain international competitiveness.

3. Section 14 of the Republic Act No. 10650 declares TESDA's role in formulating,
promulgating, disseminating and implementing the necessary policies, standards,
guidelines, rules and regulations for the effective implementation of ODL in the
country.

4. Section 16 of the Republic Act No. 11230 or the Tulong Trabaho Act
mandates TESDA to design and implement support systems, such as
development of modalities, necessary to facilitate access to quality WET.

5. Consistent with these policies, TESDA affirms the need to amend the existing
implementing guidelines for the program registration of eLearning programs to
comply with RA 10650.

II. DEFINITION OF TERMS:

1. Asynchronous eLearning refers to the learner-centered process which uses

online learning resources to facilitate information sharing regardless of the
constraints of time and place among a network of people. (Source: Shahabadi
and Uplane, 2015)
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REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING
PROGRAMS Number iv , series of 2019

Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

Date Issued:
TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
September 3, 2019
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

2. Blended Learning Program refers to:

a. the combination of the online and supervised workshop training where the
knowledge and theories are conducted through the Internet and the
supervised workshop training are conducted face-to-face. (Source: TVET
Glossary of Terms 2017);

b. learning or training event or activity where e-learning, in its various forms,

is combined with more traditional forms of training such as classroom
training. (Source: TVET Glossary of Terms 2017);
c. a strategic and systematic approach to combining times and modes of
learning, integrating the best aspects of face-to-face and online
interactions using appropriate ICTs (Source: Saliba, Rankine and Cortes,
2013); and

d. the formal education program in which a 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. (Source: Staker and Horn, 2012)

2. Distance Education refers to:

i. a mode of learning in which trainees and teachers are physically
separated from each other. It is a learner-centered, guided
independent study making use of well-studied learning and teaching
pedagogies to deliver well-designed learning materials through
various media. It is sometimes described as flexible learning and
distributed learning. (Source: RA 10650); and

ii. a mode of educational delivery whereby teacher and learner are

geographically separated and instruction is delivered through
materials and methods using communication technologies, and
supported by organizational and administrative structures and
arrangements. The delivery medium is typically online but can be by
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REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING
PROGRAMS Number 102 , series of 2019

Date Issued: Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

September 3, 2019 TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

print-based modules or by mobile phone. (Source: CHED

Memorandum Order No. 62 s. 2019)

3. eLearning is an umbrella term for providing computer instruction (courseware)

online over the public Internet, private distance learning networks or in house via
an Intranet. (Source: TESDA Circular No. 37 Series of 2009)

4. Face-to-Face (F2F) refers to the instructor-led training in a traditional classroom

setting. (Source: TVET Glossary of Terms 2017)

5. Learning Management System (LMS) refers to the software-based platform that

facilitates the management, delivery, and measurement of an organization's
corporate e-learning programs. (Source: Powell, 2018)

6. No Training Regulation (NTR)`i6irefers to programs registered under UTPRAS

not covered yet by any appropriate training regulations. NTR is a transitory
mechanism of quality assuring TVET programs. (Source: TVET Glossary of Terms
2017)

7. 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 TR.
It is an indicative duration per qualification based on experts' consensus or
advice that will also serve as a guide to the WET providers in the delivery of
the Qualification depending on specific guidelines to be issued by the TESDA
Director General. (Source: WET Glossary of Terms 2017)

8. Open Distance Learning (ODL) refers to the merger of the two (2) concepts,
of open learning and distance education. It is a system which combines the
methodology of distance education with the philosophies of open and flexible
learning. (Source: RA 10650)

9. Open learning refers to a philosophy of learning that is based on flexibility of

access for equity in education, an educational system accessible to every
individual with minimal restrictions and emphasizing the flexibility of the system
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REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING
PROGRAMS Number 109 , series of 2019

Date Issued: Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

September 3, 2019 TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

to eradicate problems caused by barriers like age, geographical location, time

constraints and economic situation. (Source: RA 10650)

10. Synchronous eLearning refers to the live, real-time (and usually scheduled),
facilitated instruction and learning-oriented interaction. (Source:
Shahabadi and Uplane, 2015)

11. Technical Vocational Institution (TV1):,:;0.efers to an institution whether public or

private offering TVET program(s). This shall include TESDA Technology
Institutions (TTIs), Public and Private Technical Vocational Institutes, and Higher
Education Institutions (HEls), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local
Universities and Colleges (LUCs), Training Centers and enterprises offering TVET
programs. (Source: TESDA Circular No. 7 s. 2016)

12. Technology Plan and Infrastructure Support System referred to in this circular
as the technological infrastructure and maintenance system of the course. It also
includes the description of eLearning delivery modes, learning resources and
activities, assessment and grading system, student support. More importantly, it
describes how learning resources and technology are utilized to support the
learners as they undergo eLearning.

13. With Training Regulation (WTR)[;i4efers to the programs registered under the
UTPRAS with the appropriate promulgated Training Regulations as basis for its
registration. (Source: TVET Glossary of Terms 2017)

III. SCOPE AND COVERAGE

These Guidelines shall cover the registration of Blended Learning and eLearning TVET
Programs in the Philippines.

IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS ON PROGRAM REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING

PROGRAM
1. The registration of eLearning programs in TVET shall follow applicable
provisions of the existing Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation
System (UTPRAS) Guidelines.
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TESDA CIRCULAR
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REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING
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Date Issued: Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

September 3, 2019 TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

2. A WAN-based, LAN-based or Cloud-based Learning Management System

(LMS) is required for all TVET providers offering eLearning programs. The LMS
shall serve as a depository of learning materials, progress charts, trainee's
record book, assessment tools, trainee data, and as a communication portal
between the trainer and the trainee undergoing the eLearning program.

3. The Training Provider should provide one (1) full-time trainer/online facilitator for
every one hundred (100) trainees, who is qualified to run online programs.

4. All learning materials shall be subject to the provisions of Intellectual Property

Rights Law.

A. Training Providers
1. Training Providers of the eLearning programs are TVIs offering programs
registered with TESDA and have program offerings located in the institution's
physical address.

2. Only a TESDA registered Training Provider is allowed to apply for the

registration of eLearning programs.

3. Entities not registered as Training Provider may register their online programs
through a registered training provider through a Memorandum of Agreement.
The Registered training provider shall then apply in behalf of the said entities.

4. Training Providers with existing face to face WTR/NTR registered programs

that want to offer eLearning programs, shall only submit the updated
administrative and corporate documents in addition to the list of requirements
indicated in the Technology Plan and Infrastructure Support System.

B. Trainer Requirement
Training Modality For WTR For NTR

For Full-On-Line 1.The trainer / online

Program facilitator must be a holder
of NTTC on the qualification
he/she is handling; and
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REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING
PROGRAMS Number log , series of 2019

Date Issued: Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

September 3, 2019 TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

2. The trainer / online

facilitator must be a holder
of a Certificate of
Competency (COC) in
Developing Learning
Materials for eLearning OR
an appropriate training
certificate as an evidence of
the trainer's competency in The trainer / online facilitator
facilitating online training. must be a holder of a

For Blended Certificate of Competency

For Face-to-Face Trainer:
Learning Program (COC) in Developing
1. The trainer must be a Learning Materials for
holder of NTTC on the eLearning OR an
qualification he/she is appropriate training
handling. certificate as an evidence
of the trainer's competency
For Online/Offline
in facilitating online
Facilitator:
training.
1. The online / offline
facilitator must be a holder
of NC on the qualification
he/she is handling; and

2. The trainer / online

facilitator must be a holder
of a Certificate of
Competency (COC) in
Developing Learning
Materials for eLearning
OR an appropriate training
certificate as an evidence
of the trainer's competency
in facilitating online
training.
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REGISTRATION OF eLEARNING
PROGRAMS Number in , series of 2019

Date Issued: Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

September 3, 2019 TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

C. Training Program Requirement

1. Training program to be registered as eLearning program must have the
following documents:
a. Technology Plan
i. Course Design;
ii. Training Package; and
iii. List of Supplies, Materials and Equipment.
b. Infrastructure Support System
. ,-
ii. Human Infrastructure (Technical Personnel); and
iii. List of Facilities

2. A WTR to be registered as eLearning program should be found Compliant

to the program audit findings for the past 3 years.

3. A separate registration for eLearning programs shall be required in addition

to the existing institution-based training program.

D. The Registration Process

1. Review and Evaluation of the Completeness of the Program Registration
Documents

a. The TVI shall submit the documentary requirements stated in training

program requirements for the program registration to the TESDA Provincial
Office (PO) or District Office (DO).

b. The TVI applying for the eLearning delivery of TVET programs shall pay a
non-refundable application fee of two thousand pesos (P 2,000.00).

c. The PO/DO shall verify the completeness and compliance of the

administrative requirements. Deficient and non-compliant documents shall
be returned to the TVI with notation of deficiencies and the prescribed
timeframe to complete deficiencies in accordance with the Procedures
Manual on Program Registration.
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PROGRAMS Number log , series of 2019

Date Issued: Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

September 3, 2019 TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

d. The PO/DO shall conduct an ocular inspection for the technical requirements
of the applying TVI with the presence of at least one (1) member of Regional
Technical Review and Evaluation Committee (RTREC).

e. The TESDA PO/DO shall endorse complete documents to the RO.

2. Review and Evaluation of the Correctness of the Program Registration
Documents

a. The RTREC shall evaluate the courseware and the LMS using the
Courseware Evaluation Instrument (Annex 1). The courseware and the LMS
shall be evaluated against the submitted Technology Plan and Infrastructure
Support System (See Annex 2) and CBC to ensure the quality and efficiency
of the learning materials.

b. The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for the implementation of

eLearning programs should be carefully designed to include appropriate
training and assessment methodologies.

c. The review and evaluation shall examine the learning materials (print and
non-print) and the delivery process.

d. The review for acceptability of the eLearning programs shall be based on

the actual examination of the courseware described in the Technology Plan
consistent with its CBC.

e. Evaluation of equipment shall be based on the delivery and assessment

processes specified in the submitted Technology Plan and Infrastructure
Support System.

f. In case of deficiencies, the RTREC shall return the courseware and the
LMS to the RO with notations on deficiencies. The RO shall endorse the
notations of deficiencies to the PO/DO which shall return the documents to
the TVI-applicant for enhancement.

g. The RTREC shall submit the result of their evaluation to the RO;
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PROGRAMS Number fag , series of 2019

Date Issued: Effectivity: Immediately Supersedes:

September 3, 2019 TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

h. The RO issues a sub-Certificate of TVET Program Registration (CTPR) for

eLearning programs, namely;
i. CTPR — ON for Full-On-Line Programs;
ii. CTPR — B ON for Blended Learning Programs with Online LMS; and
iii. CTPR — B OFF for Blended Learning Programs with Offline LMS.

E. Responsibilities of the National TREC

The members of the National Technical Review and Evaluation Committee
(NTREC) of eLearning TVET Programs, as stated in TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019,
shall be responsible for the following functions:

1. Review and update the criteria for the registration of eLearning programs;

2. Ensure that statutes on copyrights and/or intellectual property rights are

observed when third party content/courseware are proposed to be used in the
eLearning TVET programs; and

3. Develop and organize capability building programs/activities for RTREC

members on the evaluation of the eLearning programs.

F. Composition of the Regional TREC

The TESDA Regional Office shall establish its Regional TREC which shall
review and evaluate eLearning TVET Programs for Registration referred by the
Regional Offices (ROs) consistent with the pertinent rules and regulations on proper
registration The RTREC shall be composed of the following:
1. (1) Focal Provincial Director for eLearning (permanent member);
2. (1) TVI Trainer with COC in developing learning materials for eLearning
(permanent member);
3. (1) TVI Trainer with NTTC on the qualification being registered; and
4. (1) Industry expert related to the qualification being registered and to be
designated by the Regional Training Expert Panel (RTEP).

The NTREC and NITESD shall conduct a training program on the evaluation of
the eLearning Programs for the RTREC members. While in the process of establishing
the RTREC, the NTREC shall temporarily review and evaluate eLearning TVET
Programs for Registration.
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TESDA Circular No. 37 s. 2009
September 3, 2019 TESDA Order No. 007 s. 2019

V. REPORTING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF eLEARNING PROGRAMS

1. Consistent with TESDA Circular no. 2 s. 2017 or the TESDA Training Monitoring
Information System Implementing Policies and Guidelines, training, assessment
and certification reports shall be submitted through the TESDA Training
Monitoring Information System (T2MIS).

2. Face-to-face trainers of the blended learning program shall be allowed to handle

two (2) training batches at the same time (maximum of 50 trainees). However, the
number of learners attending the face-to-face sessions should not exceed 25 per
session.

3. The compliance audit process contained in the Program Registration and

Compliance Audit Guidelines, Procedures Manuals and the provisions of this
circular shall be followed in monitoring and evaluating eLearning Programs.

4. TESDA Certification Office shall be in-charged of maintaining the database of

registered eLearning programs in the Compendium.

VI. REPEALING CLAUSE

The provisions of TESDA Circular No. 37 s. of 2009 on the Implementing
Guidelines in the Registration of eLearning Training Programs and TESDA Order No.
007 s. 2019 on the Technical Review and Evaluation Committee for the Registration
of eLearning TVET programs inconsistent with this Circular is hereby repealed.

VII. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

Should the Authority declare any provision or part of this Circular to be invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts thereof shall continue to be valid, in
full force and effective.

VIII. EFFECTIVITY
This Circular shall take effect as indicated.

SEC. ISIDRO S. LAPEFIA, PhD., CSEE

Director General