BSU turns over to DepEd Bokod, Buguias schools

By rocky Ngalob

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – After long years of consultation between the community, government line agencies, local government units and Benguet State University, a memorandum of agreement was signed to by all parties for the Dept. of Education to absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions in Bokod and Buguias towns of Benguet.

This was pursuant to the Republic Act 8292 dubbed Higher Education Modernization of 1997, mandating that state universities and clleges (SUCs), like BSU, with approval of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) would phase out non-laboratory high schools which would be absorbed by DepEd

BSU’s non-laboratory high school in its Buguias and Bokod campuses were absorbed by Loo National Highschool and Bokod National High School respectively following the MOA.

To bolster DepEd in providing basic education to Buguias and Bokod, BSU will extend help through use of its classrooms, facilities and services of its personnel from its Buguias and Bokod campuses.

BSU will transfer 20 teaching positions and four non-teaching positions to DepEd which from its Buguias and Bokod campus.  

DepEd will accommodate all high school students from BSU’s Buguias and Bokod Campuses. DepEd will also assist BSU in to upgrade the Teacher Education degree courses in its Buguias and Bokod campuses namely open its doors to practicing teacher students.

As of this writing, aside from Bachelor of Teachers Education, BSU Buguias also offers agricultural courses and other vocational studies all based on the localities necessity.

Dr. Henry K. Blinto, the BSU Buguias Dean said BSU can focus in answering localities’ need and a possible new course opening awaits students.

“The resolutions sent before our office by neighboring municipalities asking if BSU can open other courses like Criminology is now near reality provided DBM will deliver on their promise to grant BSU additional teaching items,” said Bolinto.

Bolinto disclosed he was approached by numerous graduates residing in Buguias requesting if Buguias Campus will consider opening Public Administration and other grad courses.   

Bolinto added that the signing of the MOA was pursuant to one of many programs of BSU, one of which is delivering services closer to the neighboring municipalities of Benguet.