STVEP.

It’s Role on Student Productivity, Socio-Eco Development

By Blair D. Castillon
It is a fact that the Philippine archipelago is very fortunate for being rich in
all the resources needed for industrialization However, it’s sad to say that it i
s still a developing country. The unemployment rate keeps on increasing. Everywh
ere, street children beg for a cent, on are scavengers; the worst part of it, of
fending. The reason; Poverty!
What must one do to combat this? There is a must for a radical change in
our government policies particularly in the educational system. We are witnessi
ng the rapid technological development brought about by the forces of economic g
lobalization which greatly affect and influence the world of work. We cannot jus
t stand as fence sitters and watch our country’s’ economy dwindle continuously and w
orsen, draining the people’s capacity to understand and become productive and lett
ing poverty eat up all our human resources.
We cannot pinpoint who could really be blamed in this deteriorating econ
omic condition of our country. Accusing fingers may be pointed not only to someo
ne but to many. In a sense, the educational system is always the culprit. It is
true, this has the lion’s share of the blame, but it seems it’s in the department wh
ere hope lies and opportunities abound; the only syringe needed for injecting th
e much needed antidote that our present world needs.
The education sector realizes the mismatch in the system. The present cu
rricula do not answer the demands of the global community. It follows therefore
that human resource development should keep pace with societal changes brought a
bout by the takeover of technology not only in the workforce but in almost all a
spects of human life.
The Department of Education is faced with the challenge of reconfiguring
and fundamentally improving Philippine education. It is currently profiling all
technical vocational high schools nationwide to asses their capabilities in imp
lementing a more specialized curriculum and placing these schools on top of its
agenda because education means learning the basic skills for employment. The ult
imate goal of the department is to provide the students valuable skills and trai
ning while they are being oriented on careers in choosing college or post second
ary education.
The Strengthened Technical Vocational Education Program (STVEP) helps th
e high school graduates find gainful employment whether or not they get the coll
ege diploma. The students’ skills will give them competitive advantages to become
viable in the cut-throat employment market place and to compete for world-class
skill recognition. It pursues a sustainable process of human resource developmen
t as well as a more effective social capital formation towards the improvement o
f the quality of life.
It is hoped that the provisions of STVEP curriculum will produce student
s whose skills match the requirements of the job market and thus help reduce une
mployment and underemployment rate in our country. It can make a difference!
The Filipino as a worker is hard working, patient and quick to learn. Th
is has been proven not only in manual labor but also in various industries.
Let us free our minds from the confines and restrictions of poverty; and
the many facets of the country’s pressing problems. We know that with God’s presenc
e, we can achieve all our aspirations, execute our missions and realize our drea
ms; STVEP is the key for a life of greater economic security and improved social
well-being and personal dignity. STVEP, onward to progress!