THE PLAN of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to put up more technical-vocational schools in far flung areas is very much welcome. In fact, it should have been thought of and implemented a long time ago.
Of course we are thinking that these proposed technical schools are local government projects and not funded by the national government. If the mayor is hoping that his plan is to be carried out by the national government, then that dream will remain nebulous. It won’t happen.
So, if the mayor is really bent on pursuing that plan of his, then he should endeavor to have the vocational schools be locally funded or subsidized by the city.
In fact the mayor need not put up that kind of educational facility in each of the city’s three districts. There are already several existing government schools offering technical-vocational skills. But some are not located in strategic areas
There is the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) run schools in Wangan and Mintal. Then there is the Baguio National School of Arts and Trades (BNSAT) in Baguio district. And there is also that vocational school run by a religious congregation in Marapangi, Toril District that only a few know about.
We believe though that the TESDA school in Wangan would have better serve its objective if it is located in the central Calinan area where accessibility is easier.
The city’s first district of course has the biggest public school that offers technical courses. It is the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) in Barrio Obrero. Then we have the TESDA-accredited Enrico Nograles National High School on Quezon Blvd. which offers NC2 level welding skills for high school students. And soon, the Davao City National High School will be acquiring its TESDA accreditation for electrical installation skills. These two schools are recipients of Davao Light’s equipment donation and building refurbishment (DCNHS) to suit the TESDA requirement.
In addition, there are several privately-run vocational schools such as that of the University of Mindanao located along Bangoy st. in Agdao. There is also the TESDA accredited Endonela Foundation also in Agdao area.
Of course, the second district is host to the main TESDA campus where its technical-vocational school is not only subsidized with national government funds but is also receiving funding as well as building and equipment support from South Korea.
However, the distance of the TESDA school in Bunawan from the areas where the most appropriate sector of the city’s population it should cater to are located, makes the skills courses offered virtually unaffordable.
Say, if those interested to take up vocational courses are residents of any barangays from Paquibato, then their parents have to cough up enough money to finance their board and lodging close to the TESDA school in Bunawan. In addition they have also to set aside funds for transportation expenses for their weekly or monthly trips home and back to the city. And how much is the average 2-way fare in Paquibato from the city? It’s roughly P200 to P250.
But as the saying goes, if there is a will there is a way.
On the other hand, the mayor can still pursue his dream of putting up more vocational schools in areas where prospective youth clients are residing. There is even no need for the city to build new school buildings.
The mayor, with authority from the City Council, can identify a particular school in the rural areas that the city can refurbish some rooms and provide equipment needed for specific technical-vocational skills such as welding, masonry, building construction, electrical installation skills, culinary, hotel housekeeping, plumbing and others. The city can then enter into a contract with TESDA for the provision of certified trainers who will go to the designated public high schools to conduct the training according to the number of hours required before the trainees can take the NC2 qualifying examination.
As part of the agreement the city can propose to TESDA for the latter to deploy the trainees for their on-the-job training or OJT. Or, the city can invite partner private or public corporations for the trainees’ OJT.
The city may then opt to continue helping the new craftsmen by coordinating with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for possible overseas placement.
Mayor, we believe these are doable things that can help you realize a dream that could well become your legacy to Davao City aside from the present level of peace and order that makes Davao a city in bloom.
Davao Light did this during our time and still doing this now. With the enormous resources of the city and your clout over the business community we have no reason to doubt that this can be done quite easily by the local government