Priorities in Technical and Vocational Education by: Pedro L. Esteban

Rationalization of technical and vocational education in terms of quality and quantity according to the needs for the skilled and committed middle level manpower. A progressive program reorientation and upgrading of technical and vocational education subsystem through the infusion of a more dynamic management system and up to date curricular and industry-tie-up programs designed.

The organization of bureau is the most urgent priority of technical and vocational education today.

It should be align with the objective of technical and vocational education; 1.To prepare individuals for entrance to; 2. Advancement in the skilled and middle-level technician positions in the industry, agriculture, fishery and related service occupations required for national development.

After almost 2 years of research on the thrust of technical and vocational education, the Bureau to be organized is proposed to be structured to include the following divisions: a. Programs and Instruction Development Division b. Research and Development Division

c. Agro- Industrial Relation Division d. Physical Facilities Development Division e. Budget and Financial Management Division f. Administrative Unit

Viewing technical and vocational education with the proposed functions of the Bureau, all vocational and technical schools, public and private are expected to respond overtime as follows:

a.Reorganize their structures as the need arises to conform with the new thrust of technical and vocational education programs. b. Inculcate into the teaching of all subjects desirable attitude, values and work ethic crucial in the development.

c. Develop in all schools skilled workers, technicians and middle-level managers in the various technical fields. d. Retraining for up-grading competencies and technical knowledge to met the changing needs of industry and their occupations.

e. Train individuals in various knowledge and information related to problem analysis, suggest appropriate solutions, perform problem solving task in the field of specialization in preparation for occupational placement. f. Provide general education.

e. Train individuals in various knowledge and information related to problem analysis, suggest appropriate solutions, perform problem solving task in the field of specialization in preparation for occupational placement. f. Provide general education.

g. Develop in the student entrepreneurial competencies. h. Establish linkages of cooperation with industry and the government sector on matters of mutual benefits.

As mandated in the development program for technical and vocational education, the new thrust of priorities will place greater emphasis on: a. Placing greater value on attitude towards work orientation. b. Providing for better attainment of work skills needed in the occupations.

c. Teaching strategies in the development of work ethic among students. d. Integrating production, processing and marketing in the curriculum to strengthen instruction towards entrepreneurship. e. Providing a mechanism to ensure placement of graduation both in the private and public sector.

f. Providing for continuous planning and programming specially in financing technical and vocational schools. g. Opening the venue for continuing dialogue between the users and suppliers of manpower to improve coordination of manpower plans and programs of all sectors.

h. Upgrading school facilities and equipment for institutions. i. Upgrading technical-vocational education teaching staff. j.Research and Development in Technical and Vocational Education. k.Retraining of Superintendents, Administrators, Principals, supervisors and Teachers.

Programs Implementation are as follows: a.Completion of the curriculum content for the technician education and the Master in Technician Education Program. b.Staff Development involving the training of guidance teachers under a special scholarship program with De La Salle University;

c. Specialized training of key personnel in the different occupational skill under educational study tour; d. Upgrading of teachers qualification under the Master in Technician Education Program. For the Agricultural Schools; For the Fishery Schools.

Problems and Issues 1.Converting Technical and Vocational schools as the nucleus of a university. 2.A need to provide adequate funds to meet the minimum standards for at least one technician institute for every province. (trade, agriculture and fishery) 3.Dearth of the quality of teachers, supervisors, administrators and superintendents due to low pay.

Thank you..