DepEd sets over P500M for tech-voc program

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education has released more than  half a billion pesos to boost its technical-vocational program in select high schools as it girds for the program’s integration into the K+12 (Kindergarten plus 12 yeas) program.

More than P500 million in “intervention” funds were released this year to improve the delivery of tech-voc training in some 282 high schools, including the construction of new workshops, laboratories and plant nurseries, acquisition of new equipment, teacher training and curriculum development.

“The release of the intervention fund is meant to produce a new generation of high-skilled workforce who has the competencies and skills to be absorbed by both local and international job markets,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

Under the Strengthened Technical-Vocational Education Program (STVEP), some P419.3 million was allocated for the construction of new facilities for specific tech-voc courses: P234 million for 156 arts and trade, P119.16 million for 81 agriculture high schools and some P66.2 million for some 45 schools offering fisheries training.

“This is to further improve the current situation of workshop rooms, which are generally classrooms converted into… [sub-standard] workshop facilities that are less conducive for learning and hands-on activities,” read DepEd Order 59, which detailed the fund boost.

“We really need standard workshop areas/facilities to make it conducive for the hands-on training of our students,” Luistro said.

DepEd also allocated some P20.8 million to train tech-voc teachers and “expose themselves [to] the latest trends and technologies which they can impart to students.”  Some P3.16 million was also allotted for capacity-building programs by DepEd’s Tech Voc Task Force.

Some P57.4 million was also set aside as competency assessment subsidy for graduating high school students. The amount covers skills assessment of students for certification by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

DepEd also earmarked some P21.8 million to enhance the current tech-voc curriculum for its “eventual integration” in the K+12 program.