THE PHILIPPINE Business for Education (PBEd) is calling on the government to ensure private sector involvement in reviewing the technical-vocational education and training (TVET) track in the country鈥檚 basic education program, with Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian citing sufficient funds allocated for assessors.
鈥淭he industry support in all these efforts is crucial,鈥 said PBEd Executive Director Justine B. Raagas of the TVET track for senior high school (SHS). 鈥淲e urge greater private sector participation in the ongoing SHS review and call on business leaders to open work-based training opportunities to lead to employment.鈥
鈥淯nder this year鈥檚 national budget, P50.012 million was allocated to expand TESDA鈥檚 (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) pool of assessors, adding 11,000 to TESDA鈥檚 assessors,鈥 Mr. Gatchalian said in Filipino as he underscored the importance of the TVET track. 鈥淭his is an important step for them (students) to have good jobs after they finish school.鈥
The SHS program, which is under congressional scrutiny, aims to embed TVET across tracks, facilitating curriculum development, certification, and employment linkages.
This is undertaken through collaborations between the Departments of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and TESDA, which was firmed up by their signing of Joint Memorandum Circular 2 last week.
As agreed, the DepEd shall lead curriculum development and revision to integrate TVET into SHS tracks; TESDA will certify graduates and provide technical expertise; CHED shall develop credit transfer policies for TVET-certified students; and DOLE would facilitate employment partnerships for SHS learners.
Many of these goals are part of the proposed Batang Magaling Bill, filed as Senate Bill 2367 by Mr. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Basic Education Committee.
He said efforts to expand TESDA鈥檚 pool of assessors align with the goal of ensuring quality assessments.
鈥淭hese initiatives are critical for boosting job prospects for TVET graduates and enhancing industry responsiveness in skills development programs,鈥 said Ms. Raagas.
鈥淏y design, the K-12 program aims to give students enough time to acquire skills to thrive in whatever path they choose to take,鈥 she added. 鈥 Chloe Mari A. Hufana and John Victor D. Ordo帽ez
