Technical-vocational scholars pose for a photo as they receive their certificates of training from MBHTE-TESD Maguindanao Provincial Director Salehk Mangelen (center) during their graduation ceremony on August 23, 2023. (Photo courtesy of MBHTE-TESD)
COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Government’s education ministry has started the series of mass graduation for the 3,300 scholars who completed the technical vocational courses offered for year 2023.
Among the scholars were out-of-school youths, former combatants, women, persons with disability, persons deprived of liberty, rebel returnees, senior citizens, victims of disasters and calamities, repatriated overseas Filipino workers, and many others.
Last week, on Sept. 6-8, the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education – Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) held the mass graduation for the 412 trainees from the towns of Buluan, Datu Paglas, and Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Sur.
A total of 357 trainees from the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Upi in Maguindanao del Norte were the first to receive their training certificates and Training Support Fund (TSF) allowance from MBHTE-TESD last Aug. 23 and 30.
The scholars underwent courses on carpentry, pest management (vegetable), masonry, agricultural crops production, organic agricultural production, dressmaking, bread and pastry production, and driving.
Alraima Guiaman of Datu Paglas shared that she applied for the bread and pastry training as soon she heard the opening of the scholarship application.
“Noong nalaman ko po na may ganitong scholarship, talagang pumunta po kami kasi gusto ko po matuto at kung ano ‘yung pwede kong malaman at pwede kong i-share sa aking community,” Guiaman said.
Meanwhile, driving course completer Tansri Abdullah from Datu Odin Sinsuat expressed his gratitude to MBHTE-TESD for giving him the opportunity to enhance his skills which he can use to improve his life.
“Pinagsikapan ko pong matapos ang skills na ito para magamit ko, makapag-apply ako ng trabaho (para) makatulong sa pamilya at magkaroon ng hanap buhay sa pamamagitan ng driving,” Abdullah shared.
MBHTE-TESD Maguindanao Provincial Director Salehk Mangelen urged the graduates to excel in their work so they can help their families, and contribute to the development of the region.
“Yung skills na na-acquire natin, yan ay isang bagay na maipagmalaki natin at higit sa lahat, hindi yan mawawala sa atin,” Mangelen said.
The mass graduation will continue for the rest of the tech-voc completers from the other provinces of the Bangsamoro region. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO with reports from MBHTE-TESD)
