Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) Maguindanao Provincial Office lead graduation ceremony of 50 tech-voc scholars on February 28, 2024 in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. (Comenei Ali/BIO)
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE—A total of 50 scholars completed their technical-vocational courses on February 28 in the town of Parang of this province.
According to the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) Maguindanao Provincial Office, 25 of the graduates were Persons with Disabilities (PWD) under the Bread and Pastry Production while the other group hurdled Driving Certificates.
All of them were recipients of “Tulong ng Tekbok sa Pag-angat ng Bangsamoro” scholarship program.
Khominie Abas, the program’s scholarship focal, said that the Bangsamoro Government is committed to ensuring inclusivity through its education mantra ‘No Bangsamoro Left Behind’.
“Our program is a manifestation of our belief in inclusive governance ensuring that everyone has access to government services,” said Abas.
He further said that PWDs being in the vulnerable sector of society are not merely client but one of the main targets of government interventions.
“PWDs are not merely clients but actually in our targets, these are one of our priorities,” he explained, adding that they are thankful to the local government of Parang through their PWD Affairs Office (PDAO) for personally reaching out and proposed collaboration for the sector.
Town PDAO Head Ramil Mama shared being visually impaired encouraged the graduates particularly the PWDs to be optimistic despite having special needs.
“There’s a chance for us so don’t lose your hope,” Mama said with a firm conviction.
He further said that the local government is already considering convening the graduates so that they can establish a business venture that would be operated by PWDs.
Among the graduates who shared her journey was 32-year-old Norhata Usman, who was diagnosed with orthopedic disability.
She shared that it has always been her dream to undergo training on pastry production but she’s always hindered by her disabilities.
“Being one of the completers is an achievement as it has always been my dream to become part of a program like this,” Usman said.
As she shared her journey into the program, she admitted that it was hard at first as the processes involved in bread and pastry production require physical strength but as the training went on, she managed to master the art of baking.
When asked about the best single advice she can give to other PWDs, she answered, “Don’t let your disability stop you from reaching your dreams”.
Aside from her interest in baking, Usman is also optimistic about getting a spot in the education sector.
“I passed the board exam for teachers last year and I’m really looking into becoming part of the teaching force in the region,” she shared. (Abdullah Matucan/BIO)
