by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA
CITY, May 17 (PIA) – With Technical Education Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) officially launching its online distance learning program,
TESDA-9 is now preparing for its implementation in the region, Regional
Director Lorenzo Macapili said in an interview.
“We are just waiting for the
guidelines from our central office on the implementation of the program. But
even without the guidelines, we have long been advocating for this program and
are encouraging schools to offer online learning”, Dir. Macapili said.
Under the program, TESDA will offer
technical-vocational (tech-voc) courses thru the use of online modular
instruction.
“The theoretical aspect of the
program is that there is no more need for a face-to-face instruction between
the teacher and the students. Everything will be thru the internet. However,
students should go through normal enrollment proceedings with schools, from
there, everything is online, except for their actual demonstration”, he
explained.
Macapili posed a challenge to all
schools in the region to embark the said project to further reach more
beneficiaries.
“Educators should be more flexible
now when teaching. They should not stick with the traditional way of teaching,
the face-to-face instruction, as we say. They should go out of the box. Let them
utilize present technologies to help those who really can’t afford to go to
school on a daily basis and give opportunities for those interested to pursue
learning. In fact, it is enshrined in our Constitution that there should be
equal access to education or life-long learning”, he stressed.
Macapili also pointed that this
program will break barriers on education opportunities among Filipinos.
“Education and training is the great
neutralizer. Walang mayaman, walang mahirap dito. (There is no rich nor poor
here) If a poor is properly educated or trained he can even rub elbows with the
rich. A properly trained person is indispensable in our society. What we’re
saying is with enough training, we are helping the public boost their
self-worth and esteem. And we can do this through this program”, Macapili
elaborated.
Dir. Macapili also emphasized the
importance of this program on TESDA’s paradigm shift on their mandate.
“From technical-vocational education
and training, we are now into technical-vocational skills development. And this
program is just one of our programs aimed at developing the skills of our
people”, he said.
He added that there is now constant
coordination with schools in the region to implement the program.
(MVC/PIA9-ZBST)