An in-depth behavioral research entitled, “Conduct of Behavioral Study on the Perceptions and Acceptability to Learners and Parents of the Seafood Industry Qualifications as an Elective Course in the Senior High School Curriculum (Or as a TVET Course for Out-of-School Youth and High School Graduates)” was presented to the FISH Visayas Cebu Project Team and Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) on January 12, 2022, at the office of AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperation.
It is noted that the active efforts of the Philippine Government through the Department of Education (DepED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have resulted in a wider array of courses to further the skills development and competence of Filipinos. Elective courses in high school are a welcome step to prepare students for the real world and develop their interests and identify their skills along the way.
The behavioral research was conducted between November 8 to December 10, 2021. The research was aimed to assess the perceptions and acceptability of learners and parents of the seafood processing industry qualifications as an elective course in the Senior High School Curriculum or as a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) course dedicated for out-of-school youth and high school graduates.
The result of the study will be used as baseline data for the percentage of success of the TVET of the FISH Visayas Project in Cebu. Furthermore, it may serve as a reference tool for other sustainable programs and opportunities in the future labor force.
AFOs Foundation contracted Bantayan Southern Institute’s Research and Development team to spearhead the endeavor. It involved a survey via Google forms, one on one interviews, and focus group discussions. The study was conducted with private and public schools for the learners including the parents and out-of-school youth with a minimum goal of 100 respondents for Bantayan Island, fifty respondents in Cebu City, and fifty respondents on Mactan Island.
The said research presentation was attended by:
- Research Project Leader Mrs. Lourdes Jereza, Executive Director of Bantayan Southern Institute
- Research Project Team Dr. Aahron Dinauanao, Dean of the College of Computer Studies and Dr. Philip Joel Macugay, Director of the Center for Research, Planning and Development of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation
- Cebu Chamber of Commerce (CCCI) Executive Director May Elizabeth Ybanez; Chamber Growth Manager Joy Lorena Amador-Segismar; ACAS Officer Bethlehem Zabate; ACAS Officer Bienvinido Canangga, Jr.
- AFOS Team
This remarkable milestone can help battle the increasing unemployment rate brought about by the pandemic and job mismatch in the country.