Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 11) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are looking for more personnel to monitor maritime schools’ compliance with international standards.
“Kailangan namin ng dagdag na tao kasi marami [ang maritime schools],” CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera III told reporters on Tuesday. “We have to look for more allies to monitor compliance.”
[Translation: We need to add more people because there are a lot of maritime schools.]
The call for more staff was made as the two agencies aim to maintain international standards in the country’s maritime schools.
“We’re very strict. The technical panel and our technical evaluators have gone through the programs and closed 15 schools over the past year and a half,” De Vera said.
An assessment test will also be crafted to better check the preparedness of students who will go to maritime programs, De Vera said.
“We already commissioned the center for educational management to craft an assessment test,” De Vera said. “It is an assessment tool to guide them para yung mga pumapasok na estudyante mas fit doon sa kanilang pupuntahan.”
The Department of Transportation earlier said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration was “requested to look into any possible assistance that can be extended for Filipino seafarers to be able to pursue further training for career advancement.”
READ: Authorities eye curriculum improvements, assistance to seafarers to improve PH maritime industry
On March 31, the European Commission said it will continue to recognize certificates for seafarers issued by the Philippine government.
“We appreciate the constructive cooperation with the Philippine authorities and welcome their efforts to improve the system for training and certifying seafarers,” EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said.
“The Philippines provide a significant and valued part of the European and global shipping industry’s maritime workforce” she added.
