Appreciating T.L.E.

No, this is not a food write up but I just got inspired to write something good about the K-12 program.

I have a friend, sir Dan from Pampanga. He's like the head teacher of the TLE - oh, Technology and Livelihood Education - if you dont know what it means (kasi malamang me makakabasa na THE pa ang naabutan - or maybe Practical Arts pa!) Department of a public high school.  Oh yeah, 1st impression perhaps is that - heck ya, public high school. Aminin naman natin there are certain biases sa public educational institution (pwera na malamang sa UP System).

In any case, he send me pics of the successes of his students and co-teachers in competitions in their division.  He sometimes sends pictures of their school projects, and I must say, they are doing a really good job.

Sadly most students perhaps would opt for the other tracks for Grades 11 and 12 - the track that perhaps would prepare them for higher education - sorry di ko alam anong tawag. Malay ko ba dahil di ko naabutan yan... swerte not swerte.  Maybe a few would opt for the "hard stuff" that requires them to toil and cook and cut hair and do electrical stuff coz they are sooo baduy and "nakakababa" ng tingin.  Afterall, this country seems to favor more of diploma rather than skills. Sad but true.

In any case, sir Dan showed me pics of students doing electrical job and baking and preparing food and doinf table arrangements and all - they are good stuff! Pretty impressive skills!  

If you look at the pics below, Im pretty sure some of you may say you cant do it - and these students are really doing a good job at it.

One of the students doing installation... and the finished product!

Learning these skills are great weapons to a better life - even if they do not practically go to college - that is, if people will support them.  No I am not saying it is enough to learn it - of course there is still a lot of room for their skills to improve should they pursue higher learning - but, looking at things objectively, they can very well sustain daily living of there would be job opportunities for them that can alleviate higher education expenses.  They can make use of the skills their learned from Grades 11 and 12 to perhaps start a sideline of pangugupit ng buhok or baking pan de sal or electrical troubleshooting.  Isnt it amazing?!

Sir Dan's school, as I have mentioned, is a public school - which we are well aware, may lack funds to support the skills development of these kids.  I have another friend, Emily, a head teacher as well in a high school in Cagayan de Oro, who said that they use the teacher's personal baking equipment and utensils becuase their school doesnt have the funds to buy those things.  They also rely on donations and ask for help from politicians and all for support.

Students working so hard. Food preservation i assume.

The implementation of the K-12 program was kinda abrupt and personally I think the entire education system wasnt fully prepared to implement such change.  But I guess the resourceful nature of the Pinoy teachers made things possible - especially the teachers in the provinces. 

There is really no need to look down upon those who opt for the Practical Arts track of the K-12 program.  Certainly these students have acquired and developed skills that we never have.  I envy them.  I hope there will be more students to would opt for these trades - and more people will support their projects.  Maybe businessmen can tie up with schools to sell their products, or professional chefs and restaurant owners welcome the idea of having a 1-day lesson on cooking techniques.  Engineers can have a talk and share tips on proper handling of projects.  And hey, sana for free.  These students and teachers will surely appreciate the time and effort - and your name immortalized in their minds.

Not everyone can bake tasty breads! They are on it!

And the pulic of course - patronize school fairs and change the mindset - and be more realistic - that not everyone will get a diploma - and that the skills they have acquired can be developed of we patrinize these students' work.

And the teachers - a salute and thank you for the resilience and patience in teaching the students new skills even if resources are limited. Bayani talaga sila.

If you are a Pro in any field who wants to reach out and give a talk or spend time teaching sir Dan's students - just hit the comment below or email me. .... or you can simply inquire from the nearest high school innyour area and asknfor the TLE department, im sure they will be glad to accommodate you. :)


All photos used in this article is sir Dan's and I asked permission to use them.  Thank you sir!

Finished products - waiting for taste test!

Aaaah...looks delish - baked by students.

Sir Dan and two of his students!