DepEd Prioritizes Farm Schools and Industry Links for Enhanced Education

Secretary Sonny Angara of the Department of Education (DepEd) is advocating for increased support for farm schools, recognizing their pivotal role in equipping rural students with essential agricultural and business skills. This initiative aligns with President Marcos Jr.'s vision for food security and economic advancement. Farm schools, operating under Republic Act 10618, offer agricultural training, technical skills, and entrepreneurship education, especially in rural areas. Angara visited Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School, praising its upgraded facilities, and Cansilayan Farm School, a pioneering institution in Western Visayas. To strengthen education-industry connections, Angara also visited various institutions involved in Senior High School (SHS) Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) programs. Furthermore, DepEd is monitoring the situation at Alicante Day Care Center, exploring initiatives to build more Child Development Centers. In response to the Mt. Kanlaon eruption, Angara assessed the impact on schools, assuring updates to the Contingency Plan and Emergency Response Preparedness. As of March 14, the eruption affected 11,177 learners and 441 personnel from 11 schools.