DepEd Guidelines for Senior High School Work Immersion

To:

Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau and Service Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools Heads
All Others Concerned

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) issues the enclosed Guidelines for Work Immersion as basis
for the implementation of work immersion in all Senior High Schools (SHSs).
2. Work Immersion is a key feature of your SHS Curriculum. It can be conducted in different ways
depending on the purposes and needs of learners. Enclosed are the documents pertinent to its
implementation.
3. These guidelines will take effect starting School Year 2017-2018 for all SHSs.
4. These guidelines will remain in force and in effect for the duration of the program, unless sooner
repealed, amended, or rescinded. All existing Orders and memoranda that are inconsistent with this
Order are hereby rescinded.
5. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES

Secretary

Enclosure to DepEd Order No. 30, s. 2017

2019 DEPED GUIDELINES FOR WORK IMMERSION

Rationale

One of the goals of the K to 12 Basic Education Program is to develop in learners the competencies, work
ethic, and values relevant to pursuing further education and/or joining the world of work. To achieve greater
congruence between basic education and the nation’s development targets, Work Immersion, a required
subject (See attached curriculum guide in Annex A), has been incorporated into the curriculum. This subject
will provide learners with opportunities

1. to become familiar with the work place;

2. for employment simulation; and
3. to apply their competencies in areas of specialization/applied subjects in authentic work
environments.
To achieve the above objectives, Work Immersion is thus a requirement for graduation from secondary
education. Learners are immersed in actual work environments such as workshops offices and laboratories
in which their prior training is relevant. Other possible venues for work immersion are listed in Annex B.

These guidelines were formulated based on the rich experiences of modeling schools, tech-voc schools,
partnership focal persons, industry partners, and youth development advocates. These guidelines can provide
process support to field offices of the Department of Education (DepEd) in fostering relationships and
strengthening partnerships so that learners will have access to suitable work immersion venues and other
related resources.

Scope
These guidelines shall apply to all Senior High School learners in the following institutions:

1. DepEd Senior High Schools

2. Private Senior High Schools
3. Senior High Schools run by state colleges and universities, and local universities and colleges
4. Technical-Vocational Institutions

Definition of Terms
These Guidelines for Work Immersion will use the following terms and their corresponding definition as
spelled out below:

1. Partner Institutions are public or private institutions or organizations that are able and willing to
lend their expertise and resources; and enter into agreement with any of the DepEd or Non-DepEd
offices and/or schools. This enables DepEd to strengthen its capability to offer Senior High School,
without monetary requirements from both.
2. Memorandum of Agreement is a legally binding document, which spells out the specific terms and
conditions between and among parties entering into a partnership to implement a program, project, or
any other similar undertaking. It can be entered into at the central, regional, division, or school level.
The scope and limitations of the Memorandum of Agreement shall not be contrary to laws, public
customs, and moral compasses.
3. Partnership refers to the relationship between the partner institution and the school, or any office of
DepEd (Central Regional or Division) that responds to the needs of the K to 12 program in general,
and Senior High School in particular, which is formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement.
4. School Partnership Focal Person is the person authorized to seek partnerships between DepEd and
Institutions (Deped Order 40, s. 2015).
5. Work Immersion refers to the subject of the Senior High School Curriculum, which involves hands-
on experience or work simulation in which learners can apply their competencies and acquired
knowledge relevant to their track.
6. Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor serves as the counterpart of the Work Immersion
Teacher and may also be the representative of the partner institution in forging partnership with
DepEd schools. This person shall be identified in the MOA.
7. Work Immersion Teacher is the school personnel who is assigned to supervise the learners at the
Work Immersion Venue in coordination with the Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor.
8. Workplace Immersion Venue is the place where work immersion is conducted. It shall conform
with the law and the rules and regulations on safety, appropriateness for learning, and availability of
facilities and equipment, which are issued by the DepEd (DO No. 40 s. 2015), Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and other relevant government agencies. Examples of
work immersion venues include offices, factories, shops, and project sites.

Objectives of Work Immersion

Work immersion will help develop among the learners life and career skills, and will prepare them to make
decisions on post-secondary education or employment. Through partnership building, DepEd hopes that the
Partner Institutions will provide learners with work immersion opportunities, workplace or hands-on
experience, and additional learning resources. It aims to make the learners:

1. appreciate the importance and application of the principles and theories learned in school;
2. enhance their technical knowledge and skills;
3. enrich their skills in communications and human relations; and
4. develop good work habits, attitudes, appreciation and respect for work.

By the time learners reach Senior High School, they would have already acquired almost all the
competencies and skills that would prepare them for the curriculum exits (higher education, employment,
middle-skills development, and entrepreneurship). Work immersion provides them with an avenue to test
themselves and apply what they have learned in a non-school scenario. In work immersion, learners are not
only able to apply their previous training but are also able to experience the social interactions in a work
environment. Their experiences during work immersion will develop many skills and values that would help
them as they transition from high school to real life.

To assure the achievement of the above objectives of Work Immersion, this policy serves to guide schools
in:

1. creating flexible work immersion arrangements for their learners;

2. providing options for work immersion that are relevant to learners’ purposes and needs;
3. organizing work immersion opportunities for learners that are consistent with the diverse human
resource requirements of partner institutions for work immersion; and
4. articulating the scope and limits of work immersion in the context of basic education when building
relationships with work immersion partners.

2019 DepEd Updates on Senior High School Work Immersion

READ

Principles and Policy Statements

Partnership with Institutions shall be governed and guided by the following principles and policies:

Work Immersion requires parental consent.

Partner Institutions and Work Immersion Venues shall be selected only after thorough study, screening and
preparation to ensure that each venue is a safe, secure, and suitable place for learning. All applicable safety
guidelines of TESDA, DOLE, and the work immersion venue relevant to basic education shall apply.

Schools may partner with any institution or organization duly registered/recognized by any accrediting
government agency. These may include cooperatives, local government units (LGUs), duly registered
companies, and non-government organizations (NGOs). Annex B provides suggested institutions for
corresponding specializations.

All Work Immersion agreements at the school level must be covered by a Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) for the security of all parties involved. All MOAs must specify that all parties will conform to these
guidelines. All learner activities shall be reflected in the MOA as stipulated in the Prescribed Template for
the List of Tasks/Activities to be done during Work Immersion which can be found in Annex C.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Work Immersion must have provisions for the following:

a. creation of a Joint Working Group (JWG), the JWG’s functions and responsibilities, and the
responsibilities of each of the partners
b. access to and use of partner institution’s facilities by learners and teachers;

c. provision of supervisors/mentors from the partner institution

d. assurance that the workplace is a conducive and safe learning environment;

e. list of learner activities as stipulated in the prescribed template in Annex C

f. for the Partner Institution to orient the school on the work learners will engage in based on the activities
listed in the Prescribed Template for the Immersion Program of Activities

g. insurance for learners in DepEd schools, charged to MOOE (For private high schools, colleges and
universities, local universities and colleges, state universities and colleges, and technical and vocational
schools, the insurance fee paid by the learners during enrolment shall be utilized for work immersion.
Insurance fees may also be included in the voucher.)

h. Work Immersion – related expenses like insurance and transportation allowance may be treated as a
donation under DepEd’s Adopt-A-School Program

i. See attached Annex D of this guidelines for sample of MOAs. This does not preclude the parties from
adding other provisions which are beneficial to the learners.

DepEd, in collaboration with its partners and stakeholders, shall ensure that all schools and venues for
learning are conducive to the education and safety of the learners. The safely of the learners is primary.
Consequently, the maximum number of hours spent in the work immersion venue is 40 hours per week and
no more than eight (8) hours per day as provided for by law, for a child below 18 but older than 15.

School Partnerships Focal Persons must be capacitated with networking skills and cultivating connections
with possible partner institutions.

Although one of the objectives of the Work Immersion is to develop skills that are relevant to the needs of
the job market in the area, Work Immersion should not be reduced to a mere recruitment tool of a Partner
Institution. While the graduates’ future employment in the industry may be one of the desired outcomes of
the partnership, the latter should be designed in such a way that graduates will also acquire other skills and
competencies and will qualify for other job options and not be limited to those offered by one Partner
Institution.

Expenses in securing partnerships, such as the travel expense of the School Partnerships Focal Person and
the Immersion Teacher, shall be charged to the school’s local funds or MOOE. Subject to availability of
funds, travel expenses of learners to Work Immersion venue will also be charged to MOOE and other funds,
the details of which shall be provided in a separate set of Guidelines. Expenses for Immersion Venue rental,
utilities, and/or other direct or incidental expenses of the Partner Institution shall not be allowed.

Schools and students shall not be asked to pay the SHS Partner Institution for any Work Immersion activity
conducted. Fees for Work Immersion must only be set after consultation with parents.

The partnerships shall be governed by existing laws and DepEd issuances such as, but not limited to the
following:

a. DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2009 on the commercialization of schools, which expressly prohibits the
appearance of any form of institutional endorsement by the DepEd for any commercial product or service
within the school premises in exchange for any SHS-industiy partnership

b. DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2012, which expressly prohibits all forms and manner of cooperation or
partnership with the tobacco industry in all areas of the country
c. DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012 entitled “Child Protection Policy” (Policy and Guidelines on Protecting
Children in School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation, Discrimination, Bullying and other forms of Abuse)

d. DepEd Order No. 80, s. 2012 entitled “Strengthening the integration of breastfeeding education in the
curriculum, setting up and sustaining the operation of lactation stations in compliance with Executive Order
No. 51”. School officials are similarly discouraged from partnering with companies manufacturing milk and
infant formula products.

e. DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2013, Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10627
Otherwise Known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013

f. DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2015 entitled “Guidelines on K to 12 Partnerships” (Policy and Guidelines on
Building Partnerships for the K to 12 Program)

g. Republic Act 7877, an Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or
Training Environment, and for Other Purposes

h. The Adopt-A-School Act of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8525) and related DepEd issuances for corporate
donations

i. Article 218 and 219 of the Family Code on the special parental authority and responsibility of schools,
administrators and teachers

j. The Civil Code, including but not limited to, provisions on Obligations and Contracts and Quasi-Delicts.
Article 2176 provides: “Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or
negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing
contractual relation between the parties, is called a quasidelict and is governed by the provisions of this
Chapter.” Article 2180 provides in part: “The obligation imposed by article 2176 is demandable not only for
one’s own acts or omissions, but also for those persons for whom one is responsible.”)

k. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) issuances, whenever applicable

The duties and responsibilities of SHS personnel shall be reflected in their Office Performance Commitment
Review Form (OPCRF) or Individual Performance Commitment Review Form (IPCRF) for DepEd Schools
only.

Private Schools and non-DepEd schools may devise a scheme on how to remunerate teachers assigned as
School Partnerships Focal Person/Immersion Teacher.

Work Immersion Delivery Models

Table 1 shows different Work Immersion delivery models that schools may choose from based on their
needs and resources. All these models take into consideration the number of Work Immersion hours,
learner’s purpose and needs, school capabilities and compliance to the TESDA, DOLE, and DepEd Work
Immersion venue guidelines.

However, if these models do not fit a specific situation or concern, regions may design their own delivery
model. Novel/unique deliveiy modes should be approved by the Regional Office. Proposals describing the
unique delivery model should include in their justifications the work immersion hours, the learners’
purposes and needs, and the school’s partnership arrangements.

For all models, the Work Immersion Curriculum Guide (CG) in Annex A shall be followed. The number of
hours allotted for Work Immersion Proper, which is Part II of the CG, may vary based on the model to be
chosen by the learners and the school.
Below is a summary of the Work Immersion delivery models and their description. For more details, Annex
E provides descriptions of the models, the learners’ purposes and needs, the school’s partnership
arrangements, and Work Immersion delivery options.

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Duties and Responsibilities of Personnel

The successful implementation of Work Immersion will depend on the strong collaboration, support, and
commitment of the school personnel and Partner Institution. These personnel shall always exercise due care
and diligence in the performance of their duties. Below are additional duties and responsibilities to DepEd
Order No. 40, series of 2015 (Guidelines on K to 12 Partnerships).

The School Head

S/He shall:

a. be the authorized person to sign the MOA with Partner Institution on behalf of the school and ensure that
all provisions in the MOA are adhered to by both parties;

b. assign a personnel/teacher to be the School Partnerships Focal Person if the school offers more than one
(1) program;

c. determine the number of teaching loads of the School Partnerships Focal Person and the Work Immersion
Teacher subject to the nature of the track/strand for immersion, provided that provisions in the Magna Carta
for Teachers are followed;

d. sign the Travel Authority (TA) of the School Partnerships Focal Person/Work Immersion Teacher if work
immersion tasks are conducted within the division. The Schools Division Superintendent will sign if these
are conducted outside the division;
e. report to the Division Office the activities in the Work Immersion Venue, including but not limited to the
duration, provisions, and issues and concerns as applicable; and

f. supervise the work of School Partnerships Focal Person, Immersion Teacher and Learners.

The School Partnerships Focal Person

S/He is the authorized person to seek partnerships between DepEd and Partner Institutions following the
processes mentioned in the guidelines. S/He may be assigned from the school or division office. S/He may
also be the school Senior High School Coordinator. S/He shall:

a. manage the conduct of Work Immersion;

b. establish/pursue and maintain the Work Immersion partnership between the DepEd and Partners
Institutions;

c. use evaluation and monitoring results to recommend decisions on partnerships;

d. coordinate with the Work Immersion Teachers regarding the placement of students in partner institutions;

e. consolidate reports from work immersion teachers (If s/he is the Division SHS Partnership Focal Person,
receives reports from schools); and

f. conduct regular ocular inspections with the Work Immersion Teacher to ensure that the work immersion
venue is safe, secure, and suitable for learning.

The Work Immersion Teacher

S/He is the school personnel/teacher assigned to supervise the learners at the Work Immersion Venue. S/He
shall:

a. exercise supervision on learners doing Work Immersion in coordination with Work Immersion Partner
Institution Supervisor;

b. participate in the Joint Working Group of Work Immersion;

c. coordinate with the School Partnerships Focal Person learners’ activities and class and venue schedules;

d. conduct the Pre-immersion and Post-immersion activities;

e. conduct regular visits to the venue to ensure that learners’ activities are properly implemented; and

f. submit report regularly to the Schools Partnership Focal Person on the completion and performance of
learners, performance of the Partner Institution, and issues and concerns.

The Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor

S/He shall be identified in the MOA and shall serve as the counterpart of the Work Immersion Teacher. S/he
shall:

a. exercise supervision over learners during the Work Immersion;

b. participate in the Joint Working Group;

c. coordinate with the School Partnership Focal Person and Work Immersion Teacher on Work Immersion
venue schedules and capacities;
d. provide input in the Pre-immersion and Post-immersion activities;

e. schedule the learners’ activities in the Work Immersion venue together with the Work Immersion
Teacher; and

f. inform the Work Immersion Teacher on capacities, Work Immersion completion performance of learners,
and issues and concerns.

The Learner

S/He shall:

a. attend Pre and Post Immersion Activities;

b. report to the Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor during actual immersion;

c. perform the duties and tasks as indicated in the prescribed template for work immersion list of
tasks/activities (template found in Annex C); and

d. prepare the documentations and reports required in the curriculum and by the Partner Institution.

Assessment
The Work Immersion Teacher and the Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor will jointly assess the
learners’ performance following the DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015 (Policy Guidelines on Classroom
Assessment for the K to 12 Basic Education Program).

The Work Immersion Teacher shall then issue the Final Grade.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The following are the offices and units, which will implement, monitor, and/or will be affected by the
policy:

Central Office

a. Bureau of Curriculum Development ensures correct articulation of the curriculum content of Work
Immersion.

b. Bureau of Learning Delivery ensures proper implementation of policies in delivering the Work Immersion
as a subject in the field.

c. Bureau of Educational Assessment ensures valid assessment of learners performance in the field.

d. Bureau of Learning Resources provides the needed learning materials in the field.

Regional Office

Curriculum and Learning Management Division through the Regional Senior High School Supervisor-in-
Charge ensures that the Division Offices properly implement and articulate Work Immersion as a subject in
coordination with the relevant Regional Supervisor handling the learning area (e.g. TVL, Arts and Design,
STEM).

Division Office
Curriculum and Instruction Division through the Division Senior High School Supervisor-in-Charge ensures
that all senior high schools in their respective areas properly implement and articulate the Work Immersion
as a subject in coordination with the relevant Division Supervisor handling the learning area (e.g., TVL, Arts
and Design, STEM).

Schools

Section 7 describes in detail the duties and responsibilities of the different DepEd offices.

Annex F shows the monitoring and evaluation tool to be used