Bringing Quality Education Right at the Doorsteps of the Filipino Learner: The UP Open University Experience

Abstract

Statistical data on the Philippine education system show that only 15.62% of students who enter school graduate from college. While this is still one of the highest graduation rates in higher education worldwide, the data indicate that higher education in the country is not truly accessible to all Filipinos. This paper traces the beginnings of distance education in the Philippines. At the University of the Philippines, the first degree program in the distance mode was offered at UP Los Baños in 1984. In 1995, the UP Open University (UPOU) was approved by the UP Board of Regents. The paper discusses the history, organization and management, and procedures involved in the development and delivery of courses and academic degree programs. It also lists the various degree and nonformal courses offered. The UPOU experience over the last seven years is discussed, and a summary of lessons learned from the experience is presented.

Keywords