Photo from MBHTE
COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) welcomed new members of the Regional Technical Education Skills Development Committee (RTESDC) who are committed to advancing the region’s skill training programs.
Administered by Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, the oath-taking ceremony held May 3, marked the official induction of private and government sector representatives who will work towards strengthening the public-private partnership and improving the implementation of technical vocational education and training (TVET) in BARMM.
“Today’s oath-taking ceremony reflects the Committee’s willingness to engage from every angle and to confront some of the more difficult challenges that we face in Technical Vocational Education and Training, especially the skills mismatched,” Iqbal said.
The committee is composed of 15 members, representing the private and government sectors in the region.
The members include Atty. Ronald Hallid Torres, Chairperson of the BARMM Business Council, Director General Ruby Andong of Technical Education, Director General Abdullah Salik, Jr. of Basic Education, Director General Marjuni Maddi of Higher Education, Director General Tahir Nalg of Madaris Education, Director General Khalid Dumagay of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government, Director Sarah Jane Sinsuat of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Head of Science and Technology Services Monawara Abdulbadie of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Rosslaini Alonto-Sinarimbo, Director General of the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism, Tong Abas, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, Sambas Hassan, President of Mahardika Institute of Technology, Michael Kida from the Industry Sector, Dr. Bonifacio E. Valdez, President of the Mindanao TVET Association, Bagiyan Angeles, President of Al-mani Farmers Marketing Cooperative, and Suaib Hussain, President of Bangsamoro Exit Overseas Workers Association.
Iqbal emphasized that establishing the first RTESDC in the region will “increase the value and standard of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Bangsamoro region.”
Meanwhile, Chairperson of RTESDC Atty. Torres stressed the importance of working together to develop the Education Ministry’s TVET program. He also encouraged the committee to work as one for the Bangsamoro people, especially the next generation.
“Through working together, we can build a more progressive, inclusive, and prosperous region that is prepared to face the challenges of the national economy and business. With this Committee, nobody will be left behind,” he said.
The said Committee is expected to actively encourage the involvement of the industry as they are the direct beneficiaries of a skilled workforce. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO with reports from MBHTE-TESD)