TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION AND ITS GREAT IMPORTANCE

CRISTINA D. DIMARUCUT

One of the learning areas used in the country’s secondary schools as part of the curriculum is TLE of Technology and Livelihood Education.

Offered at the secondary level, TLE provides high school students with practical experiences, technical knowledge, and expertise in home economics, entrepreneurship, and various aspects of technology.

This is where students will learn how to acquire the basic necessities and the means to improve upon them in order to have a better life. They will be taught things like home education, sewing, cooking, etc.

This is also where they will learn how to be innovative with current technology so that they can find solutions to problems they may face in everyday life.

What does this type of education entail? Learning technology is learning the usage, making and knowledge of tools, crafts, systems and techniques. It is also a means to organize problems in order to solve them. Technology is beyond computers and other gadgets.

Where can technology be found? Prior to having electricity, technology was seen in the very first camera. The very first typewriter. The very first light. The very first airplane. The main property of these examples is the creation made a problem easier, thus providing solution.

Livelihood, on the other hand, is defined as the means to secure basic needs in life. It is based on individuals, family and other social groups.

There are two types of curriculum provided: Technical-Vocational Education-based TLE and entrepreneurship Education-based TLE.

The Technical-Vocational Education-based TLE is focused on technical skills development in any area. Five common competencies, based on the training regulations of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), are covered in the explanatory phase (Grades 7 and 8): menstruation and calculation, technical drafting. Use of tools equipment, maintenance of tools and equipment, and occupational health and safety. The specialization phase is from Grades 9 to 12.

The entrepreneurship Education-based TLE is focused on the learning of some livelihood skills every quarter, so that the student may be equipped to start a small household enterprise with family members. It covers three domains: Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies, Market and Environment, and Process and Delivery. The five common competencies from TESDA are integrated in the Process and Delivery domain.

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The author is Master Teacher I at Calangain Elementary School, Lubao West District