Protection and Skills Development for Working and Out-of-School Youth
- Emphasis on protection against exploitation of working youth and those outside formal education.
- Assistance is mandated in providing skills enrichment, employment, and community involvement opportunities.
Recognition of Non-Formal and Informal Education
- Acknowledgement that knowledge, skills, and attitudes are acquired not only through formal education but also via on-going non-formal and informal training.
Mandates of Government Ministries and Agencies
- Ministry of Education and Culture tasked to align the educational system with the National Development Plan and provide non-formal education.
- National Educational Testing Center (NETC) directed to implement the program via an accreditation and equivalency scheme.
- National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) mandated to train out-of-school youth in employable skills and establish skills standards.
- Ministry of Labor and Employment responsible for apprenticeship and learnership training.
- Ministry of Agriculture implements the Anak Bukid program for agricultural training targeting rural out-of-school youth.
- Ministry of Social Services and Development promotes comprehensive development of the needy youth to foster self-reliance and social responsibility.
- Kabataang Barangay and its Batarisan Program contribute to youth skills training and employment.
- Private industries and other agencies are also engaged in non-formal and informal youth training.
Need for Integration and Coordination of Efforts
- Integration of multiple government and private efforts in youth development through a unified framework.
- Establishment of National Equivalencies and Trade Standards to implement provisions of several Presidential Decrees and Letters of Instruction.
- Inclusion of youth participation in policymaking regarding these programs.
Creation of the Accreditation and Equivalency Board
- Composition includes key officials: Chairman of Kabataang Barangay, Ministers of Education and Culture, Labor and Employment, Agriculture, Social Services and Development, Director General of NMYC, and Executive Director of NETC.
Functions of the Accreditation and Equivalency Board
- Formulate policies and guidelines for the National Accreditation and Equivalency Program.
- Foster a supportive climate for workers to pursue self-development.
- Provide guidelines for institutional implementation of sectoral accreditation policies.
Expanded Functions of the National Educational Testing Center (NETC)
- Establish an accreditation and equivalency scheme through examinations and assessments to recognize skills and knowledge from non-formal learning.
- Administer the Philippine Educational Placement Test and other tests to confer formal education equivalency.
- Conduct follow-up research on program participants.
- Identify scholarship and financial aid recipients among youth pursuing education.
Expanded Functions of the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC)
- Establish and administer national trade skill standards in consultation with employers, workers, and government authorities.
- Implement accreditation and equivalency schemes through trade skills testing and certification.
- Incorporate National Occupational Standards into National Trade Skills Standardization.
Collaboration and Support from Other Government and Private Entities
- Board empowered to seek assistance from any government agency, bureau, or corporation.
- Private individuals and institutions encouraged to support the program.
Funding Provisions
- Ministry of the Budget authorized to allocate One Million Pesos annually to NETC from testing collections.
- Member agencies required to contribute Two Hundred Thousand Pesos each from their budgets.
- Funds pooled and applied for accreditation and equivalency activities as determined by the Board.
Effectivity Clause
- The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon issuance.
This comprehensive framework seeks to link formal and non-formal education and training systems through a coordinated accreditation and equivalency program, aiming at youth development, empowerment, and employability.