Mindanao Spearheading the Implementation of the Philippine Qualifications Framework through the Establishment of the Credit Transfer System from TVET to Higher Education
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Mindanao Technical-Vocational Association (MinTVET) have reached another momentous milestone as they forged stronger partnership with technical-vocational and higher education institutions in a bid to provide a better technical education in Mindanao.
A total of 134 tech-voc and higher education institutions from all over Mindanao signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the Synchronization of Curricular Content and Finalization of Credit System on the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Level 5 (Diploma) Programs held last May 28-29, 2018 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.
The signatory-institutions – both TVET Institutions and Higher Education Institutions – agreed to establish and create a common Credit Transfer System that is applicable for TVET Diploma Programs and specific Higher Education programs as well as Senior High School program that shall provide an avenue for the development of TVET graduates to increase their opportunities towards higher levels.
The agreement came after the series of workshops and fora conducted by TESDA spearheaded by TESDA XI Regional Director Gaspar S. Gayona, Ph.D., Ed.D..
Director Gayona stressed that the new Credit Transfer System will enable the tech-voc students/graduates to proceed to higher level education without having to retake subjects that they were already able to demonstrate and acquire competence.
“We did not develop the PQF Level 5 to force them to proceed to Level 6 (tertiary education), we developed it as a pathway for the poor to achieve their dreams of getting degrees through an innovative curriculum that focuses on the achievement of the learning outcomes and not on the subjects enrolled in,” Dr. Gayona said and added that once implemented, this will put the Philippine Education System as the benchmark in the credit system from TVET to Higher Education.
MinTVET External Vice-President Orlando N. Dela Cruz stressed that the event marked a significant moment for TVET here in Mindanao as they come up with a common and enhanced system.
“This is a unique avenue to review and relearn from our TVET policies as we will be using these policies to craft new ones. It also offers us a chance to share our good practices in our respective institutions and listen to others as we harmonize the variety of models and try to come up with a common system. We endeavor to draw a new direction for TVET and enhance the operations of our respective institutions,” Dela Cruz said. (TESDAXI-ROD)
