Understanding Work Immersion in Education

Guidelines for Work Immersion

• Excerpted from DO 30 s. 2017
• This document outlines guidelines for work immersion programs in schools.

Rationale

• One goal of the K to 12 Basic Education Program is to develop competencies, work ethic, and values relevant to further education and/or employment.
• Work Immersion is a required subject to achieve greater congruence between basic education and national development targets.
• The subject provides opportunities to become familiar with the workplace, simulate employment, and apply competencies in areas of specialization/applied subjects in authentic work environments.
• Work Immersion is a graduation requirement from secondary education.
• Learners are immersed in actual work environments, such as workshops, offices, and laboratories.
• Other possible venues are listed in Annex B.

Scope

• These guidelines apply to all Senior High School learners in:
  • DepEd Senior High Schools
  • Private Senior High Schools
  • Senior High Schools run by state colleges and universities, and local universities and colleges
  • Technical-Vocational Institutions

Definition of Terms

• Partner Institutions: Public or private institutions/organizations that lend expertise and resources to/and enter agreements with DepEd/Non-DepEd Offices and schools.

• Memorandum of Agreement (MOA): A legally binding document outlining terms and conditions among parties in a partnership.

• Partnership: The relationship between a partner institution and the school/office of DepEd that addresses K to 12 program needs, especially Senior High School.

• School Partnership Focal Person: The authorized person to seek partnerships between DepEd and Institutions (per DepEd Order 40, 2015)

• Work Immersion: The subject in the Senior High School Curriculum involving hands-on experience/work simulations allowing learners to apply relevant competencies and knowledge.

• Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor: The counterpart of the Work Immersion Teacher, representing the partner institution in fostering partnerships with DepEd schools. This person is identified in the MOA.

• Work Immersion Teacher: School personnel responsible for supervising learners at the Work Immersion Venue in coordination with the Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor.

• Workplace Immersion Venue: The location where work immersion is conducted—must conform to safety standards, learning appropriateness, and availability of facilities/equipment

• (per DepEd DO No.40,2015), and relevant guidelines from TESDA, DOLE, CHED, and other government agencies

Objectives

• Work immersion develops life and career skills, preparing learners for post-secondary education or employment.
• The program aims to enable learners to appreciate importance and application of acquired principles/theories studied in school.
• Enhance technical knowledge and skills.
• Enrich communication and human relation skills.
• Develop good work habits, attitudes, appreciation and respect.
• Create flexible work immersion arrangements.
• Provide options relevant to learners' purposes and needs.
• Organize work immersion opportunities consistent with partner institution needs.
• Articulate scope and limits of work immersion in building relationships with immersion partners.

Principles and Policy Statements

• Work Immersion requires parental consent.
• Partner institutions and venues must be thoroughly studied, screened, and prepared to ensure safety, security, and suitability for learning.
• Applicable safety guidelines from TESDA, DOLE, and relevant to basic education must be followed.
• All Work Immersion agreements at the school level must be covered by a MOA specifying compliance with these guidelines.
• The MOA needs provisions for a Joint Working Group (JWG), learner/teacher access to facilities, supervisor/mentor provision, conducive learning environment, and a list of learner activities per prescribed template (Annex C)
• Expenses in securing partnerships should be charged to school funds/MOOE (learner's travel).
• Schools/students should not be asked to pay institutions for Work Immersion activity but setting fees should require parent consultation.
• Partnerships should comply with existing laws and DepEd issuances, including, DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2009, DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2012, DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012 on Child Protection, DepEd Order No. 80, s. 2012, DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2013 and related laws and issuances
• DepEd should ensure all schools/venues are safe for learning. Maximum immersion time is 40 hours/week, maximum 8 hours/day, for those under 18, over 15.
• School Partnership Focal Persons need networking skills/connections with potential partner institutions.
• Work Immersion is not limited to recruitment, but should develop graduates with other skills/competencies allowing them other job options.
• Work Immersion hours, learners’ purposes/needs, and school partnerships arrangements must be considered by region-approved models.

Work Immersion Delivery Models

• Table shows various delivery models based on needs and resources.
• Models consider Work Immersion hours, learners' purposes/needs, and school capabilities/compliance to guidelines.
• Unique models/delivery methods should be approved by Regional Offices.
• Proposals should justify time, learner needs, and school partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities of Personnel

• School Head: Signs the MOA, assigns focal person, determines teaching load of the immersion teacher, ensures provisions are adhered to
• School Partnerships Focal Person: Manages Work Immersion, partners with institutions, and uses results for partnership decisions.
• Work Immersion Teacher: Supervises learners, coordinates with the supervisor, and participates in the JWG.
• Work Immersion Partner Institution Supervisor: Exercises supervision, coordinates with focal person/teacher about schedules and capacities.
• Learner: Attends pre-/post-immersion activity, reports to the supervisor, and prepares required documents

Assessment

• Work Immersion Teacher and Partner Institution Supervisor assess learners' performance.
• Assessment follows DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015 (Policy Guidelines on Classroom Assessment for the K-12 Basic Education Program)

This quiz will assess your knowledge about the roles and responsibilities associated with Work Immersion in educational settings. It covers various aspects such as the School Partnership Focal Person, objectives of Work Immersion, and key regulations. Test your understanding of how these components contribute to successful workplace immersion.