Probe into readiness of gov’t to implement free TVL certification sought

Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution seeking a probe into the readiness of Philippine education agencies in implementing the free Senior High School (SHS) Assessment and Certification Support Program for technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL) graduates has been filed in the Senate.

“There is a need to assess the issuance of the joint guidelines and on the readiness of the [Department of Education] and the [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority], as co-implementors of the Free SHS Assessment and Certification Support Program for TVL Learners and its related programs,” said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian in his proposed Senate Resolution No. 935.

READ: ‘We’ve invested so much in K-12, let’s make it work’ — Gatchalian

Gatchalian, who also chairs the chamber’s committee on basic education, explained that under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, P438.16 million was allotted under the TESDA Regulatory Program to assess senior high school learners taking the TVL track for the issuance of National Certification.

“The allocation aims to benefit 420,900 Grade 12 TVL graduates,” said Gatchalian.

Meanwhile, an allocation amounting to P50 million was also lodged to the DepEd under its Teacher Quality and Development Program to train and certify senior high school teachers under the TVL track through TESDA.

Gatchalian earlier assured TVL learners that the free assessment and national certification for SHS learners will benefit them beginning in 2024.

In a separate statement issued Monday, Gatchalian said he pushed for the funding of the certification program for SHS graduates in the TVL track “to increase the possibility of them getting a good job.”