CV studes in Mandaue for STEP competitions

CEBU, Philippines - Students from the different provinces of Central Visayas numbering 1,200 are in Mandaue City for the 10th Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines-Regional Skills and Development Competition.

The competition will stretch for two days where in Elementary and high school students from 20 divisions of Region-7 will compete in Home Economics which will include the flower arrangement, fresh fruit shake preparation, appliqué, and tie dye.

Competitions in Industrial Arts include metal tool box making, medicine kit shelf making, fabric hand painting, and simple circuit making .

For Industrial Technology, students will vie for honors in the 20-watt amplifier, auto engine tune-up, steel balusters, residential wiring installations, and knockdown toddler's furniture.

In Entrepreneurship and ICT, students will compete in electronic bookkeeping, electronic poster-making, and business planning.

All 45 winners will travel to Baguio City for the February 18-22 national STEP competitions.

Monico Acas, a DepEd official from Siquijor said the STEP competition was launched in 2001 .

He said previously parents used to send their children to school in order for them to find work after graduation.

Now Deped's thrust is to enhance the skills of students to help them find employment while still in school.

"They can start a living without going to college, "Acas said.

While Rosanna Godinez, the regional coordinator of "Edukasyong Pangtahanan Pangkalusugan" said students can find gainful employment or start a business even if they drop out of school.

She said students sold things in school to cover expenses in relation to joining the competition. It's a pity because the DepEd has a limited budget, she said.

Students from the rural areas have their local government units shouldering the registration fee and other expenses, she said.

Registration fee is pegged at P1,600.  (FREEMAN)