The project, according to university professor Moner Bajunaid, executive director of the Cotabato City-based Mindanao Integrated Network Development (MIND), intends to benefit around 10,000 secondary students in at least 15 schools in two ARMM provinces.
“This is a one-year project that aims to transform the teaching of the Technology and Livelihood Education of high school students from a theoretical approach to a practical and hands-on approach. This will be achieved by supplementing the existing tools and equipment available that the schools have,” said Bajunaid.
The project also seeks to ensure that students from selected high schools in Basilan and Maguindanao learn and master the trade skills taught under their TLE subjects by providing appropriate trade tools and equipment.
Bajunaid and the Philippine Business for Social Progress represented by its regional manager Dr. Marylin B. Muncada signed on Wednesday the agreement in Davao City.
The project is set to start third quarter of this year.
Funding will come from the LG Asia Development through the United Way International, two global funding institutions.
“It is hoped that through the project the students will be better prepared for productive undertakings. The project will also provide an opportunity for the Parents-Teachers-Association Community (PTCA) to enhance their capabilities in managing education improvement projects,” stressed Bajunaid.
In Maguindanao, the beneficiaries of the project include the Talayan National High School in Talayan, General SK Pendatun National High School in SK Pendatun, Datu Usngan Mastura National High School and the Sultan Mastura National High School in Sultan Mastura, Matanog National High School in Matanog, Sarilikha National High School in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Udtog Matalam National High School and Amir Bara Lidasan National High School in Parang.
In Basilan, the beneficiaries include high school students from the Concepcion National High School, Jacinto Cuevas National High School, Lamitan National High School, Ubit National High School, and the Colonia National High School.
The project partners include the local government units (LGUs), Department of Education, PTCA, and the Trade Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the ARMM.
It is hoped that after the project, 80% of the third and fourth year high school students will have acquired the practical trade skills on their chosen field of specialization; and a hundred percent of the first and second year will have better understanding of the different trade tools and equipment.
The MIND Center is tasked to encourage and monitor active involvement of the PTCA and school administrators in project implementation and assist them in the formulation and implementation of the management and sustainability plan, establish linkage with TESDA and other government agencies that can help enhance teaching skills of teachers in teaching TLE subject, and establish monitoring systems to determine student performance records indicating progress of acquiring trade and livelihood skills.