The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has donated P2.3 million worth of materials and equipment to support the K to 12 Program among select schools in Laguna.
Jica said the assistance package is part of the ongoing collaboration between Jica and the Department of Education (DepEd), dubbed as Supporting Senior High School Modeling in Selected Technical Vocational High Schools, launched in 2014.
The project provides technical support to the DepEd in its efforts to fine-tune the activities in technical- vocational high schools developed during the modeling program now on its implementation stage.
“The cooperation project is focused on developing a strategic mechanism that will link tech-voc schools with industries, and help Filipino graduates find permanent jobs,” Jica Philippines Senior Representative Takahiro Morita said.
The project aims to address and identify the gaps and mismatches in industry needs and skills developed in schools. The assistance also provides opportunity for pilot schools to collaborate with local and Japanese industries.
The equipment and materials were turned over to the DepEd at the San Pedro Relocation Center High School. The school is among the 14 public technical-vocational high schools of the 56 schools nationwide identified by the DepEd to model the senior high school program in preparation for full implementation of K to 12 in June 2016.
The project has partnered with four schools, namely, Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science and Technology High School in Quezon City; Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries in Pasig City; and Subangdaku Technical Vocational High School in Mandaue City.
These schools will share their strategies and best practices with select model-schools in implementing senior high-school curriculum.
Under the Enhanced Basic Education Act enacted in May 2013, two years will be added to the current four-year high-school curriculum. The two years will be Grades 11 and 12 or senior high school.
The country’s K to 12 initiative expands the educational cycle from 10 years to 12 years and reintroduces technical-vocational skills training and education to better link schools with industry and for the graduates to have a better opportunity to participate in the labor force.