EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara is advocating for stronger support for farm schools, recognizing their vital role in equipping rural learners with skills for agriculture and agribusiness.

“They have the land to cultivate and operate like a farm while still functioning as a school. This is a crucial lesson for our senior high school students, as we aim to teach them entrepreneurship, accounting, and business skills,” Angara said on the sidelines of the joint management committee meeting of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Bacolod.

Under Republic Act No. 10618, farm schools provide agricultural training, technical skills, and entrepreneurship education, especially in rural areas.

During his visit to Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School, Angara praised its upgraded facilities, including newly built Kubo lounging areas and the pioneering PAAWASAN Water Filtration System, which addresses both sanitation and irrigation needs.

The school currently serves 117 students with the support of three dedicated teachers.

DepEd officials also visited Cansilayan Farm School, one of 26 pioneering farm schools in Western Visayas and the only one in Negros Occidental implementing the Farm School Program.