Albay High School Principals meet Mariners’ administration on the impact of K to 12 Program

MPCF President Dante La. Jimenez explains to Public High School Principals in Albay the effect on the secondary education in the country once the K to 12 Program is implemented in 2016. Areas of collaboration and coordination among the schools were explored in a meeting held at the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation in Rawis, Legazpi City.

Legazpi City, Albay – High School Principals from neighboring municipalities around the city converged to discuss possible coordinated efforts which can be mustered between the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF) and the public high schools in the vicinity once the K to 12 program is implemented in 2016.

As of now, preparations are underway but both parties have admitted that much is still to be desired on the state of preparedness of the public high schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) to start effectively the program in the target date of implementation.

With this development, the meeting explored doable options on how to partially cushion the negative impact once the program is started.

Among the problems identified are the lack of classrooms to accommodate students who will enter Grades 11 and 12 (Senior High School or Junior College). The lack of qualified instructors as well as the absence of adequate equipment and laboratory facilities needed in the course –oriented subjects, were also pinpointed.

Along this line, MPCF-Legazpi has signified to accommodate qualified 4th year High School students in 2016 as they start with their Grade 11, with Maritime-oriented subjects to be offered by Mariners.


(Left picture) Maritime cadets in formation for the ‘Arrival Honors’ to be accorded to a visiting school guest. (Right picture) Students while on training at the Survival and Training Swimming Pool for their lessons in Safety Of Lives At Sea. This is a glimpse of some activities that await those who will be admitted to the maritime-oriented Senior High School or Junior College at the Mariners School.


Scholarships may be availed of by students should they have talent in playing musical instruments by joining the school band or should they excel in sports, especially in swimming.

Although MPCF cannot accommodate all fourth year students coming from the public high schools in the area, at least the school can lessen the number of students who might not have much option where to go.

Mariners offers scholarship grants to deserving students, a reason why poverty should not be a cause especially for those who will pass the qualifying examination.

Students who will finish the maritime-oriented grades 11 and 12 course will be issued Seaman’s Book which will enable them to get work in international sea-going vessels. After Grade 12, the students will have the option whether to start working as an ordinary seafarer or pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in maritime education which will prepare him to become a ship officer.

“The issuance of a Seaman’s Book’ to those who will finish Grades 12 or Junior College will be of great value for those in this level grade as this will give them the opportunity to work outright”, said Commodore Dante La. Jimenez, President of MPCF-Legazpi, Albay.