BAUKO, Mountain Province – A project in partnership with the Cordillera office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR), through the Provincial Science and Technology Center-Mountain Province (MDNHS), and municipal government to strengthen and enhance the capability of Mount Data National High School in the implementation of the K-12 educational system offering Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track and create income generating projects (IGPs) for the school through appropriate science and technology (S&T)interventions culminated on November 18, 2022.
The project, identified as “Upgrading of Teaching Facilities of Mount Data National High School through Science and Technology”, is in recognition of the 21st-century skills of learners on information, media, technology skills, and life & career. Mount Data NHS, being a school of life-enduring skills and knowledge offering the TVL strands in senior high with a current population of 217 recognizes the need to provide opportunities for learners to acquire vocational and technical skills to enhance their readiness for life and employability. Among the students, the following are enrolled in the different strands: Carpentry – 55; Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW )– 90; Home Economics – 52; Agri Fishery Arts – 22. Also, these tracks invest primarily in skills that can gain the requisite Certificate of Competency and National Certification which are essential for career opportunities.
In addition, this project promotes innovation. Learners and trainees can freely produce products focused on newness, improvement, and ideas using available resources in the community. It is also expected to integrate IGPs to help students and trainees to earn while they learn.
Hence, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between and among MDNHS, DOST and the municipal government on July 4, 2022 at the Bauko municipal office. The MOA includes the provision of welding materials and training of learners and teachers.
The materials, which included welding and cutting machines were turned-over by DOST personnel on October 18, 2022 to MDNHS. Also, the school is also recipient to the software of the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS) to reach those with limited or no access to S&T information resources.
The 3-day Metal Fabrication Training under SMAW strand participated in by 27 grade 11-12 learners and 4 faculty members of Mount Data NHS successfully culminated on November 18, 2022. As performance output, the participants welded 3 steel doors made out of angle, square and round bars and flat sheets which were donated to the school for the makeshift classrooms of the TVL classes.
“We appreciate the initiative of the faculty and the support of the school head and the Division Office in providing venues for the students to learn life-enduring skills through partnerships”, both the DOST and municipal government representatives stated in their messages. They also left challenges to the training completers to sustain and share the skills to their classmates and families. Also, MDNHS expressed their appreciation to the support extended to them in the light of providing venues for their learners to enhance their skills in welding. Good luck welders! Gawis! By Noe M. Danglosi