by Susan Aro


LA TRINIDAD, Benguet , April 1 – The Benguet Technical School (BTS) plans to increase tuition fee and update its course programs in keeping up with the required technical –vocational standards.

BTS School Administrator Flora Manuel made the appeal for tuition fee hike and updating of course programs to the provincial board which will still have to deliberate on the matter.

In the board session held recently, the BTS formerly the Helping Foundation, Inc. appeal was referred to the Committee on Education for further study and recommendations.

Governor Nestor Fongwan endorsed the report and recommendation of the Provincial Finance Committee and the Provincial Administrator giving merit to the request.

Provincial Administrator Danio Bolislis and the Provincial Finance Committee chaired by Budget Officer Nora Asiong upon review and comparison of the present courses with that of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) elicited some findings.

The tuition fees per course charged by BTS is the lowest compared with other technical and vocational schools in the province.

The courses do not conform with the updated nomenclature of courses authorized under the TESDA training regulations.

BTS has been trying its best to upgrade its equipment to meet the standard TESDA requirement under a unified Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program registration and accreditation system.

The PFC and the Provincial Administrator also offered recommendations such as revision of the Provincial Revenue Code as amended to conform with the correct and updated nomenclatures of the courses offered.
There is also a need to adjust present tuition fees to reasonable and affordable rates which is still lower than the fees charged by other schools.

It was also recommended that the SP Chairman on the Committee on Ways and Means will sponsor the proposed ordinance.** (PIA CAR)