State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
February 27, 2024

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened with key officials from the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other government agencies for a sectoral meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.

The meeting, attended by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, touched on TESDA’s proposal to embed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) qualifications in all Senior High School (SHS) tracks towards workforce readiness and to align the country’s educational system with global standards.

This proposal, presented alongside a series of activities outlined by DepEd and TESDA for 2024 and 2025, likewise aims to ensure the SHS curriculum’s relevance and responsiveness to industry demands.

One of the key initiatives put forward is the drafting of a Joint Memorandum Circular entitled, ‘Strengthening Senior High School Curriculum and Delivery by Embedding TVET in all Senior High School Tracks towards Workforce Readiness and Employability’, which underscored the commitment of both TESDA and DepEd to bridge the gap between education and employment by integrating TVET into the SHS framework.

The move to incorporate TVET into all SHS tracks is founded on its proven effectiveness in empowering educational interventions. By incorporating TVET, the government aims to enhance Filipino human capital through skilling, upskilling and reskilling, thus contributing to national development goals.

Furthermore, this proposal is in harmony with TESDA’s National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2023-2028, which sets the direction for the Technical Vocational (TechVoc) sector. It is also aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 and is in sync with the government’s Labor and Employment Plan, ensuring a cohesive approach towards workforce development.

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