TACLOBAN CITY — Borongan City is preparing to open a specialized public senior high school that will train young people in agriculture and entrepreneurship as part of efforts to encourage a new generation of farmers and agribusiness operators.
The Borongan City Agripreneur Senior High School (BCASHS) was among the key matters discussed by the Local School Board during its regular meeting on Sept. 30, led by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda.
The board discussed funding requirements, curriculum development, infrastructure and other technical preparations needed for the school’s opening.
Hazel B. Meneses, chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Borongan City, said the school aims to help add value to agricultural products by equipping senior high school students with skills in agricultural entrepreneurship.
The initiative is being developed through a partnership among the DepEd Schools Division of Borongan City, the city government, Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
BCASHS will focus on agriculture and agripreneurship, providing students with job-ready training, technical skills and opportunities to pursue higher education in agriculture.
The program also seeks to address the aging farming population by encouraging young people to view agriculture not only as a traditional livelihood but also as an avenue for entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Agda has encouraged students to explore agripreneurship, saying opportunities in agriculture can provide young people with avenues for economic advancement beyond conventional employment.
The school will also support the city’s flagship agricultural initiative, Dukwag Agrikultura, or Boost Economic Agricultural Productivity, which provides members of the local farming community and graduates with access to interest-free and collateral-free agricultural loans.
Under a proposed localized scholarship program, poor students endorsed by barangay officials may be supported as agricultural scholars. Each of the city’s 61 barangays is expected to fund its designated scholars.
The school board also discussed Special Education Fund allocations for the opening of Can-aga Elementary School, San Mateo National High School and Amantacop Integrated School.
The new schools are intended to help decongest existing schools and expand access to education among learners in the city’s 61 barangays.
Meanwhile, the board discussed preparations for Borongan’s participation in various DepEd regional competitions, including the Regional Schools Press Conference, Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair, and Festival of Talents.
Agda underscored the importance of joining such activities, saying these provide learners with opportunities to develop their skills, gain experience and prepare for future academic and professional pursuits.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
