Press Release
November 6, 2007

ANGARA : LET'S FOCUS ON TECH-VOC EDUCATION

Today, there are 12 million children who are out of school, creating a major crisis in the country's educational system.

This is the underlying problem in our education system that Senator Edgardo J. Angara is trying to address. The Senator has always been at the forefront of educational reforms.

The good news, according to Angara, is that our student population has grown to more than 18 million students and is now bigger than most countries. However, there are still 12 million Filipinos who are out of the formal school system or what you call the "out-of-school youth".

"That is the hidden problem in our educational system that the government needs to address," said Angara during the MOA signing ceremony of Bulacan Polytechnic College, a technical-vocational school in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

"Through alternative schooling, we can educate those who are not in the formal system of education. Technical-vocational school is what the country needs," he stressed.

He also urged students and those who did not finish their studies to continue learning by taking advantage of this alternative schooling. "These tech-voc courses are in demand not only in the Philippines but also in other countries such as Canada and Australia .

"The Canadian government is now recruiting welders, bartenders, and waitresses from other countries," Angara said as he highlights the importance of tech-voc in employment opportunities for students.

"In Subic , they need about 3,000 welders as well as in Cebu. Next year, call centers in the country will need at least 200,000 call center agents."

At present, he said, there are only 2.8 million graduates produced by colleges and universities causing labor shortage. "Tech-voc will offer students a nice opportunity to take advantage of the growing demand for skilled workers."

"I hope parents who can't afford to send their children to universities will encourage them to enroll in informal training to be able to compete in the global market."

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