TESDA TO TEACH SKILLS TRAINING IN MADRASAH SCHOOL

February 13, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Secretary Guiling "Gene" Mamondiong to teach skills training or technical-vocational courses among students of Madrasah School.

Madrasah, the Arabic name for school, is a community-based and community-managed school whose teachings are based on the Qur'an.

“In the Madrasah school system, the students are taught mainly Arabic and Islamic studies but after that, where will they go? We have to help students of Madrasah, we will teach them skills training for their livelihood," said Mamondiong.

The TESDA chief said that students who will complete the training from various courses will receive the national certificate (NC) from the Agency.

Mamondiong stressed the importance of skills training, saying that lack of such knowledge could sometimes lead to extremism.

“If they do not have any skills for a livelihood and then their families are hungry, they may resort to extremism. This is a skills program to address that. Without peace, there is no real national development," he added.

Students of Madrasah School go to their classes on weekends. Mamondiong however said that the TESDA skills training at Madarasah School will be scheduled Monday to Friday.

Graduates of Madrasah usually earn up to P2,000 every month.  "But if they have completed their skills training based on their chosen course, then they could earn more," said Mamondiong.