Highlighting their importance in equipping rural students with essential skills in agriculture and agribusiness, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara has urged greater support for the country’s farm schools.
In a statement issued Wednesday, March 19, DepEd said Angara calls for better support for farm schools as these institutions play a crucial role in advancing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for food security and economic development.
“They have the land to cultivate, and they operate like a farm while still being a school,” Angara said on the sidelines of the historic joint management committee meeting of DepEd and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Bacolod.
“This is an essential lesson for our senior high school students because we want to teach them entrepreneurship, accounting, and business skills,” he added.
DepEd noted that under Republic Act 10618, farm schools provide agricultural training, technical skills, and entrepreneurship education, particularly in rural areas.
During his visit to Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School, Angara praised its upgraded facilities—including newly built kubo lounging areas and its pioneering PAAWASAN Water Filtration System, which addresses both sanitation and irrigation needs.
DepEd said the school currently serves 117 students under three dedicated teachers.
Meanwhile, DepEd officials also visited Cansilayan Farm School, one of 26 pioneering farm schools in Western Visayas and the only one in Negros Occidental implementing the Farm School Program.
Strengthening education-industry linkages
To further strengthen education-industry linkages, Angara also visited Victorias National High School, Ramon Torres Farm School, VMA Global College and Training Center, Vallacar Transit and Ceres Bus, and Peñalosa Farm.
These institutions, DepEd said, engage in Senior High School (SHS) Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) programs that provide students with real-world skills and job opportunities.
Moreover, DepEd monitored the situation at Alicante Day Care Center, where discussions are ongoing on a joint DepEd-DBM-EDCOM initiative to build more Child Development Centers, reinforcing the agency's broader push for early investments in education.
Focusing on farm schools, industry partnerships, and crisis preparedness, Angara reaffirmed DepEd’s commitment to expanding career pathways and boosting education’s role in national development.
Mt. Kanlaon situation
Meanwhile, Angara visited La Granja Elementary School and Yubo Elementary School in La Carlota City to assess the impact of the Mt. Kanlaon eruption on affected schools.
DepEd data showed that as of March 14, a total of 11,177 learners and 441 personnel from 11 schools have been affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption.
Angara assured that DepEd is continuously updating its Contingency Plan and Emergency Response Preparedness to address any further escalation of the situation.