NASH Review Classes: What DepEd’s Rules Say

If you are thinking about joining a paid review class for the NASH, know what DepEd itself has said about them. DepEd Memorandum (DM) No. 069, s. 2025, the memo that launched the National Assessment for School Heads (NASH), sets out clear rules about them. This guide explains what those rules say, for takers and for DepEd personnel who teach reviews.

DepEd is not affiliated with any review provider

DM 069 states that DepEd upholds the “credibility and integrity” of the assessment, and that the Department is not affiliated with any individual or institution that:

• offers review classes in exchange for money, or
• claims to have access to the content of the examination.

The memo warns all applicants against dealing with persons or organizations that misrepresent such an affiliation. In other words, a review provider that says it is “DepEd-accredited,” “official,” or “connected to the test writers” is making a claim DepEd itself rejects.

Trying to get test content is an offense

DM 069 is specific about what can lead to trouble. These may be investigated and can result in administrative action:

• any attempt to request or gain access to the test content, directly or indirectly; and
• offering bribes, in money or otherwise, to officials at any level of DepEd.

The memo cites DO No. 49, s. 2006, the Revised Rules of Procedure of the Department of Education in Administrative Cases, as the basis for that action.

For takers, the practical rule is simple: if someone offers you actual NASH questions or answers, walk away. Using or seeking them puts your career at risk, not just your score.

Rules for DepEd personnel who teach reviews

DM 069 also addresses DepEd employees who conduct review sessions or preparatory classes, alone or through an outside organization. They are directed to email the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development-Human Resource Development Division (BHROD-HRDD) a copy of their duly approved permit to engage in the private practice of their profession outside official work hours.

The submission must state:

• the name of the organization,
• the nature of their involvement or role, and
• the specific duration or schedule of the activity.

The memo grounds this in three existing policies:

The three policies DM 069 cites on private practice

Policy	What it says, per DM 069
Section 18, Rule XIII of CSC Memorandum Circular No. 15, s. 1999	Government employees may not engage in private practice of a profession without permission from the head of agency
Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees)	Private practice by public officials and employees is a ground for administrative action unless authorized, and must not conflict with official functions
Section F of DO 001, s. 2023	Sets out who has the authority to grant permission to practice one’s profession outside official work hours

So a DepEd teacher or principal who runs or teaches in a NASH review is not automatically violating the rules. They need an approved permit, and they must report the engagement to BHROD-HRDD.

How to judge a review offer

These are our suggestions, based on DM 069:

• Be skeptical of insider claims. Anyone claiming access to NASH content, or an official DepEd link, contradicts DM 069.
• Ask about permits. If the reviewer is a DepEd employee, it is fair to ask whether they have the approved permit DM 069 requires.
• Check what you are paying for. A legitimate review teaches the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH) and how to apply it. It cannot promise particular questions.
• Remember the free route. The PPSSH (DO No. 024, s. 2020) and the NASH memoranda are public. DM 069 itself recommends coaching and mentoring with experienced principals.

What DepEd recommends instead

DM 069 describes the NASH as a developmental tool, and it strongly encourages aspiring school heads to join coaching and mentoring sessions with experienced, proficient principals. The aim is to see how the PPSSH competencies work in practice and to reflect on your own readiness.

An 8-Week NASH Study Plan Built on the PPSSH builds that coaching into each week, and NASH Competency Domains: The Five PPSSH Domains lists what the standards cover.

A note about this site

NASH Reviewer is a free, independent site. We are not affiliated with DepEd, we do not sell review classes, and we have no access to NASH test content. Our articles explain public DepEd issuances and cite each one by number, so you can check every rule yourself.

Key points

• DepEd is not affiliated with any paid review or anyone claiming access to NASH content.
• Seeking test content or offering bribes can lead to administrative action under DO 49, s. 2006.
• DepEd personnel who teach reviews need an approved permit for private practice and must report the engagement to BHROD-HRDD.
• DepEd’s own recommendation is coaching and mentoring with experienced principals.