This guide explains when a public school learner may be counted as a drop-out or as No Longer Participating in Learning Activities (NLPA) under DepEd distance learning. It is for teachers and advisers who check attendance, and for parents and learners who want to know what keeps a learner on the class list.
On this page 5 sections
Checking attendance in distance learning
Face-to-face classes were temporarily suspended and different learning modalities were used. Because of this, teachers and advisers may choose a Learner Attendance Conversion Tool (LACT) to check learner attendance.
- The attendance method the teacher chooses should be explained to parents and learners, so everyone knows how attendance is counted.
- Teachers are strongly encouraged to show due consideration and to reach out to learners.
When a learner counts as drop-out or NLPA
A learner can only be considered a drop-out or NLPA in one of two cases:
- Voluntary withdrawal. The learner and his or her parent choose to withdraw from school.
- Too many absences. The learner is absent for more than 20% of the required class or laboratory periods in the school year or semester, as stated in DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015.
What the 20% rule means in distance learning
In distance learning, the 20% limit is equal to seven weeks of either:
- not attending online classes, or
- not submitting modules or activity sheets,
and no effort by the learner or the parent or guardian to contact or communicate with the teacher during that time.
This means a learner who misses classes or submissions but stays in touch with the teacher is not automatically counted as NLPA.
What counts as contact or communication
Contact efforts can differ depending on the learning modality. They include, but are not limited to:
- electronic or digital messages
- using a designated drop-off and pick-up kiosk or a middleman for printed modules
- phone calls and text messages
- handheld CB radio
- letters
- attending classes or meetings
- face-to-face meetings between the parent or guardian and the adviser, following local and national health protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for COVID-19
What this means for you
- Teachers and advisers: Choose an attendance method, explain it to parents and learners, and reach out to learners who stop participating before considering them NLPA.
- Parents and guardians: If your child cannot attend or submit work, keep in contact with the adviser through any available channel so the teacher knows your child is still enrolled.
- Learners: Keep submitting your modules or attending classes, and tell your teacher if you have problems.
Frequently asked questions
When is a learner considered a drop-out or NLPA by DepEd?
Only when the learner and parent voluntarily withdraw from school, or when the learner is absent for more than 20% of the required class or laboratory periods in the school year or semester, as stated in DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015.
How many weeks of absence equal the 20% limit in distance learning?
Seven weeks of not attending online classes or not submitting modules or activity sheets, with no contact made by the learner or parent or guardian with the teacher.
Does a learner become NLPA if they miss work but stay in touch with the teacher?
The seven-week rule applies when there is no communication or contact effort from the learner or parent. Keeping in contact with the teacher matters.
What counts as contact with the teacher?
Examples include digital messages, phone calls, texts, handheld CB radio, letters, using a module drop-off kiosk or middleman, attending classes or meetings, and face-to-face meetings with the adviser that follow IATF health protocols.
What is the Learner Attendance Conversion Tool (LACT)?
It is a tool teachers and advisers may choose to check learner attendance under distance learning modalities. The chosen method should be explained to parents and learners.
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