The Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) reiterated their commitments for partnership during the first joint management committee meeting at L'Fisher Hotel here Tuesday.
Chaired by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and TESDA Director-General Jose Franciso Benitez, the meeting aims to 'ensure closer collaboration and coherence' on free national certification tests for Senior High School-Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (SHS-TVL) track students, enhancing technical professional track and enterprise-based practices integration in basic education.
A historic first for Philippine education. This is just the beginning -- big things ahead. Together, we will shape a brighter future for our learners, Benitez said in a statement.
The DepEd said participation in the free NC assessment program has significantly increased, allowing more SHS-TVL learners to validate their skills and enhance their employability.
Figures revealed that up to Feb. 28, a total of 54,694 out of 62,578 students have been issued their certifications, which reflects 'a stronger push toward competency-based qualifications'.
Angara inspected on Monday a number of schools in La Carlota City, which is one of the local government units hit by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental.
He dialogued with the teachers and learners at Yubo Elementary School, nine kilometers from the volcano foot, and in La Carlota North Elementary School, which hosts the displaced families as an evacuation center.
"Our teachers and DepEd staffs' dedication, perseverance and empathy in ensuring learning continuity despite the risks and inconvenience brought about by the volcanic eruption are priceless", Angara expressed.
In Bago City, Angara saw the Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School in Barangay Malingin, which he praised for its best practices to be replicated in other schools.
"They own the land and they work like a farm even though they are a school. (This is a) very sustainable lesson particularly for our senior high school students because we want to show our children how to be entrepreneurs, and to learn accounting and business acumen", he added.
