By Arabella Asis
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) together with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have put together an enhanced curriculum to guide Maritime Higher Education Institutions for better program implementation.
During the Malacañang Press Briefing on Tuesday, April 11, CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera III said the enhanced curriculum aims to satisfy compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and to monitor all maritime schools.
“We have a lot of work to do in monitoring and evaluating all the maritime education institutions in the country. We have to monitor all of them and use instruments of monitoring and evaluation that satisfies not just our standards in the Philippines but standards of the European Union (EU),” De Vera said.
Prospero also acknowledged the “very good relationship” between CHED and MARINA which helped in the improvement of maritime programs.
Moreover, a five-year moratorium was imposed to put more focus on evaluating existing programs.
CHED also commissioned the Center for Educational Measurement in crafting an assessment test to better test the preparedness of students enrolling in maritime programs.
Meanwhile, MARINA Administrator Hernani Fabia stated the need for regular training and capacity building for stakeholders and marine personnel to maintain continued recognition from EU countries.
Recently, the Philippines received recognition from the European Commission which ensures continuous employment for more than 50 thousand seafarers in Europe.
The Philippines remains as the top supplier of marine labor in the world. – gb
