Preparing students for the modern workplace

WITH the changing face of the modern workplace—where high-tech is the operative word—Sen. Edgardo Angara is urging the incoming Aquino administration to legislate an integrated computer education starting in elementary level.

Angara proposes to include basic computer applications and programs in primary schools to produce highly skilled workers in programming, digitally-aided designs, hardware, networking and software development.

“Our people need to be updated on the latest advances in technology. The youth must be scientifically and technically prepared to fully tap their inner talents and contribute to national development,” noted Angara, a former University of the President.

Angara stressed the need “to prepare the Filipino youth to meet the technological challenges of the new century and make them competitive in the global labor market, where competition is stiff.”

The Senator proposes the creation of the Board of Computer Education to asses, supervise and monitor the accreditation of schools; provide the curriculum for computer-aided logic, math and science education in the elementary level; and monitor over all performances of the schools and the students.

Secondly, the bill will promote the Build-Operate-Transfer scheme of the program, which will include facilitating the training of teachers on computer literacy and maintenance and provide apprenticeships to qualified students into the facilities maintenance component of their education. This is pursuant to Republic Act 6957, the act authorizing the private sector to build and operate infrastructure facilities and later on transfer ownership to the (local) government.

“We will also put in place a voucher system for specialized computer education in 19 of the poorest provinces of the country. Qualified students who completed secondary school will be allowed to take competitive aptitude tests. Upon passing the test, they can avail of vouchers from the partner agency or through the local unit of the Board to enroll in a computer school of their choice,” asserted Angara, who is also Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (Comste).

Last year the 2009 Global I.T. Report released by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland reported that the Philippines slipped further from its 2008 ranking of 81st in terms of Network Readiness to 85th this year. In 2007 the country ranked 69th.

Providing yet another break for the student community, Senator Angara reminded transport operators that as a new school year opens they should grant student fare discounts at all times. He also urged the Senate to enact student fare discount into law on any public transportation not only on school days, but also on weekends and holidays.

“We know the difficulty parents face to defray household expenses. Basic commodity prices are rising. This is the least we can do to help our students keep their spirit of going to school and pursuing their education,” Angara said.

Angara has proposed a bill that provides students of all levels a 20 percent discount. Medical interns, legal apprentices, military trainees and specialized studies students are also covered.

“Extending the provision for discount to non-school days will enable students to still travel at a discounted fare back to their communities, to visit their parents in the provinces for the weekend, do research works and consultation with their instructors or meet with their peers for group studies,” he stressed.

The grant of discount to students is currently only mandated on a memorandum circular of the LTFRB. When his bill is passed into law, there will be no more reason for drivers, conductors and ticket agents to refuse students discounts to their fares at any day.

“This should become a social responsibility for transport utility owners and operators, especially for the students from low-income families and those who commute their way to school,” Angara concluded.

bizzfizz_98@yahoo.com –RENE MARTEL, Manila Times