The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Region XI (TESDA XI) conducted a one-day conference to deploy and widely disseminate the new guidelines on various programs to its partner schools and institutions.
Over 200 participants from the five provinces of Davao Region attended the School Administrators’ Conference held at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.
The conference was conducted to orient the school administrators and representatives of the recently-released Omnibus Guidelines for 2019 TESDA Scholarship Programs [Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), Private Education Student Financial Assistant (PESFA), and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTEA)]; the Revised Implementing Guidelines in the Registration and Implementation of Mobile Training Programs (MTPs) and Clarificatory Gudelines; and the Amendments of Section XVII Sanctions and Penalties of the Amended Omnibus Guidelines on Program Registration under the Unified TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Program Registration and Accreditation System.
The guidelines on the scholarship programs were formulated following Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña’s call that the TESDA scholarship programs must endeavor to increase the chances of TVET scholars to find a job or establish a livelihood after training. This, including the other mentioned guidelines, requires stricter monitoring on existing training schools and validation process for those applying for accreditation.
It also intends to discourage anomalies and illegal activities by implementing stricter compliance and monitoring of training programs, trainees’ attendance, and the employment rate of the scholar graduates.
Lawyer Imelda T. Ong, of the Legal Division of TESDA Central Office and among the speakers of the event, has emphasized that Secretary Lapeña call on the scholarship implementers, both public and private, to practice due diligence in the implementation of programs particularly in utilizing government funds.
She also explained to the participants the stiffer sanctions and penalties that will be strictly enforced to the Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) which will be violating TESDA’s rules and regulations.
Aside from the discussions, open forums was also held in the afternoon session for the participants to air out their concerns and clarify matters relating the topics.
TESDA XI Assistant Regional Director Remegias G. Timonio said the event is to ensure that all schools are fully-versed of the guidelines and that they do not commit any violation.
“It is said that ignorance of the law excuses no one. Likewise, compliance by TVET providers on the policy guidelines of TESDA is a must in the pursuit of our quality journey,” Director Timonio said. (TESDA XI ROD)
