THE COMMITTEE on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives has approved a measure seeking to create a network of Meister Schools in the country.

In an online meeting chaired by Albay Representative Joey Salceda, the committee members gave their permission to endorse House Bill 6287 to the plenary.

Salceda, author of the measure, said the bill will allow companies accredited by the Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry to teach and employ their apprentices or students.

Rep. Roman Romulo, head of the Basic Education and Culture Committee, said the bill was filed to correct drawbacks in the K-12 education particularly in the technical-vocational section.

The committee believes that creating Meister Schools would help bridge the country’s skills gap and reduce youth unemployment.

House Bill 6287 mandates the establishment, in every region and in every highly urbanized city, of at least one specialized senior high school to be known as Meister School.

The Meister Schools will be funded in the manner of a national high school. They will implement an enhanced two years senior high school education program, integrated with a special curriculum on tech-vocational courses to provide technical and vocational quality education to students.