The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has adjusted the assessment fees (AFs) on various qualifications of its technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 4 the agency said the high inflation rate has significantly affected assessors and operation costs of assessment centers (ACs).
TESDA said factors considered for the new rates are utilities, space rentals, tools and equipment, supplies and materials, assessor’s fees and AC’s personnel salary.
"Included in the new charges are the adjustments in assessors’ fee on TESDA’s top three priority sectors: agriculture, forestry and fishery; health and construction. Based on a memorandum issued in June 2020, the current assessor’s fee is up by 36.4 percent - from the previous rate of P234.00 to the current rate of P319.00," it said.
TESDA said the increase in assessor’s fee aims to "attract more assessors and improve TVET programs in these sectors."
It added that modifications on assessor’s fee in 32 qualifications already started in August 2020 where 10 qualifications are from the agriculture and fishery while 22 are from the Construction sector.
As of December 2020, TESDA said, adjustments have also been made on the assessment fees of 143 qualifications.
"While the assessor’s fee for these 143 qualifications is still at P234.00, these are targeted to be updated this year, including its other cost items," it said.
TESDA said 114 qualifications are still adopting the P500.00 rate assessment fee as prescribed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2007.
The AFs of these qualifications will be reviewed and updated, it said.
TESDA said the imposition of new rates is also in compliance with Administrative Order No. 31 on rationalization of fees and charges issued in 2012.