Program on Accelerating Farm School

Establishment (PAFSE)
Objectives

 To harmonize the technical and financial provided by the various national

government agencies in the development of marginal sized farms to fully
developed farm schools.

 To understand the different accreditation/certification process in development

of farm schools.

 To identify learning sites/farm schools where areas of development can be

demonstrated and sustained.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
Background/Rationale

 About half of all Filipinos live in rural—farming or fishing—areas

• 70 percent of the poor families in our country are rural. (source: PSA)
• 39.2 percent are fishermen
• 38.3 percent are farmers.
• The average income of Filipino farmers, whose average age is 57 years, is only P2, 300.00 a
month, working on his 1.5-hectare farm.
• The younger generation do not see agriculture as a lucrative career.

 Providing access to TVET thru the Agri-Fishery farm schools is one of the strategies in achieving the
long term goal of rural development. This is also one of TESDA's responses in President Rodrigo R.
Duterte's policy pronouncement that "It is my moral obligation to provide available and affordable food
for my people".

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
 The Concept of Farm Schools
The concept of the farm schools is based on the Farm Field Schools (FFS) developed by the UN-Food Agriculture Organization (FAO).

• To help farmers become competitive

• Seize advantage of the opportunities in the market by operating their farms efficiently and profitably.
• The focus is on the content a n d the methodology is “learning by doing”.
• Learning is demand responsive and interactive, and is matched to the farm season.

To assist the Filipino farmers and fisherfolks to become competitive and engage in productive and sustainable agriculture and fishery
programs, the Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Training Institute (DA-ATI) is currently implementing projects on the
establishments of Learning Sites (LS), Schools for Practical Agriculture or Sanayan ng Pagsasaka at Adhikaing Agrikultura
(SPA).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is likewise implementing projects on Agri-Tourism Farms/Sites. These identified projects are
based on the above- mentioned concepts of the FFS.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
Provision for Special Technical Assistance on Accelerating
Farm School Establishment (PAFSE)

To accelerate the
establishment of
farm schools
in all
municipalities
nationwide

IMPLEMENTATION
(TESDA and NGA Partners)
Provision for Special Technical Assistance on Accelerating
Farm School Establishment (PAFSE)

To ensure poor
farmers & fisherfolks,
their families/
relatives gained
appropriate KSA in
increasing the farm
productivity`

IMPLEMENTATION
(TESDA and NGA Partners)
 Scope/Coverage:
 The Guidelines shall be implemented in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture –
Agriculture Training Institute (DA-ATI) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);

 All accredited Learning Sites (LSs), Schools for Practical Agriculture (SPAs), Extension Service
Providers (ESPs) of the DA-ATI and the identified Farm Business Schools (FBS) and LinksFarm
Sites (LFS) of the DAR shall be covered.

 Other farm schools which are not accredited and identified by the DA-ATI and the DAR respectively,
shall likewise be covered by this Circular; and

 Entrepreneurship training program shall be included in the scholarship grant. This is to educate the
farmers on agro-enterprise and make them business-minded as well and increase their income.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
Implementation Mechanics

There shall be levels of implementing the scholarship program for

the farm schools, depending on the
size of the farms, as follows:
1. Marginal Farms — below 1 hectare
2. Small Farms — I to 2 hectares
3. Semi-Medium Farms — 2 to 4 hectares
4. Medium Farms — 4 to 10 hectares
5. Large Farms — over 10 hectares

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
Implementation Mechanics
A. LEVEL I: Marginal/Small/Semi-Medium Farms School
Sized
Program Registration

 The DA-ATI accredited Learning Sites (LS) and Schools for Practical
Agriculture (SPA) and the DAR- identified FBS and LFS are
considered marginal/small/semi-medium sized farms.

As such, those interested to avail of the TWSP scholarship grants for training
of farm workers, their family members and members of the communities
shall register their programs with the nearest TESDA Regional/Provincial
Offices (ROP0s).

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
Continuation… A. LEVEL I: Marginal/Small/Semi-Medium Sized Farms School

 The TESDA ROPO shall provide technical assistance to the farm-owner

applicant and facilitate the issuance of Certificate of TVET Program
Registration (CTPR), in accordance with the revised process cycle time
(PCT) on program registration subject to actual inspection of the farm and
the submission of the following requirements by the farm schools:

 Letter of Application (Form No. TESDA-SOP-00-01-F01 of the UTPRAS

Guidelines, TESDA Circular No.35 series of 2016)
 Valid Certificate of DA-ATI Accreditation for the and the SPA
LS

Valid Certification from DAR for the FBS and LFS

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
Continuation… A. LEVEL I: Marginal/Small/Semi-Medium Sized Farms School

 The lists of DA-ATI accredited LS and SPA and DAR identified (Farm Business
Schools) FBS and (Links Farm Sites) LFS are attached as part of this Circular for
reference and guidance. The list may be updated by DA-ATI and DAR as
necessary. Thus, the Regional Directors are instructed to coordinate with their DA
and DAR counterparts on the updated lists at least on a monthly basis;

 Program registration of other marginal/small/semi-medium sized farms schools not

accredited and identified by DA-ATI and DAR respectively, interested to avail of
the scholarship funds shall likewise follow item A.1.2 of the TESDA Circular; and

 Following the concept of the FFS, the CTPR, "With Training Regulations (WTR)" or
No Training Regulations (NTR)" to be issued to the farm school shall be based on
all existing and available units of competencies/cluster of
competencies/qualifications at the farm, as these farms are integrated and multi-
crop farms (e.g. horticulture, animal crop production, organic farming, aquaculture,
etc.).
TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
 B. Level II: Medium to Large Size Farms Schools

Program Registration

 The DA-ATI accredited Extension Service Providers (ESPs) at the

National and Regional and are considered medium to large sized farm
schools. ESPs are private groups (nongovernment organization,
people's organizations and other private organizations) accredited by
DA-ATI and currently doing the agricultural training and extension work
for target clientele along the value chain (input suppliers, producers,
traders, processors, consumers). (Source: DA-ATI Implementing Rules
and Regulations on the Accreditation of Private ESPs);

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
Continuation… B. Level II: Medium to Large Size Farms Schools

 The medium to large sized farm schools interested to avail of the TWSP funds, shall
register their programs with the nearest TESDA Regional/Provincial Offices (ROP0s)
in accordance with the Omnibus Guidelines on UTPRAS (TESDA Circular No. 07,
series of 2016);
 The TESDA ROPO shall provide technical assistance to facilitate the issuance of
Certificate of TVET Program Registration (CTPR), in accordance with the revised
process cycle time (PCT) on program registration (TESDA Circular No.35 series of
2016);
 Progr
am
registr
 ation
of
other
TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
mediu
AUTHORITY
 C. Target Beneficiaries

 Target Beneficiaries of the farm schools are farmers and fisher folks and their
relatives up to the 4th level of consanguinity and members of the community
of the farm school. The qualifications of beneficiaries shall be in accordance
with the latest Implementing Guidelines of the TWSP;
 All TESDA RO/POs shall coordinate with the DA-ATI and the DAR
Regional/Provincial/Field Offices on the identification of beneficiaries with
corresponding identified courses/programs to be conducted at the farm
school; and
 Beneficiaries shall entitled to free training and assessment.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
D. Schedule of Cost per Unit of Competency/Cluster of Competency/Qualification

 The schedule of cost for the farm schools shall be based on TESDA Circular No. 02
series of 2016 (TWSP) and TESDA Circular No. 13, series of 2014 (STEP) as
appropriate;
 Where the identified courses/programs of the target beneficiaries are not included in
the abovementioned TESDA Circulars, a new TESDA Circular shall be issued to
cover the cost of such programs; and
 The PAFSE Scholarship Grant Qualification Map (QM) (Attached PAFSE Form 01)
shall be prepared by the farm school owner/administrator based on approved
schedule of costs. The concerned ROPOs shall assist in accomplishing the QM. The
QM shall be endorsed for approval by the TESDA Provincial Director, the Regional
Director and the concerned Deputy Director General based on zonal assignment.
Said QM shall then be forwarded to the PMO/ODDG for LGUs for processing and
final endorsement for approval of the Director General.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY AND STANDARDS OFFICE
QUALIFICATIONS
 E. Assessment and Certification of Graduates

 Graduates of the farm schools shall be subjected to mandatory assessment

depending on the Cluster of Competencies/Qualifications for WTR programs
enrolled by the beneficiaries. Thus, assessment of graduates as pre-requisite
to the payment of training fees shall likewise depend on the enrolled
program/s of the beneficiaries; and
 Assessment fees shall be charged to the TWSP funds and shall be based on
TWSP Schedule of Costs (TESDA Circular No. 02 series of 2016 (TWSP);
TESDA Circular No. 13, series of 2014 (STEP).

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
 F. Funding Source
The special technical assistance program on PAFSE shall be charge to the
Training for Work Scholarship (TWSP) funds.

G. Availment of Scholarship Grant

Any grantee may avail multiple scholarship programs but not simultaneously.
Availment of more than one (1) scholarship program however shall be related
or value-adding to the first (1st) scholarship program in Agri-Fishery/Agri-
mechanization sector and other related programs to improve the productivity of
the beneficiaries and contribute to improvement of their quality of life.

H. Distribution Scheme of TWSP Scholarship Grant

The PO shall distribute the TWSP Scholarship Grant to the farm schools after
the approval of the QM

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
I. Administrative and Financial Procedures
 A special allocation from the TWSP funds shall be allocated for the
implementation of the PAFSE; and
 Payment to the Farm School shall be made upon submission of the following
required documents:

Billing Statement

MIS 03-02 (Training and Employment Report) duly signed by the authorized signatories of Farm Schools

Daily Attendance Sheet (for the duration of the training);

Certified true copy of RWAC for payment of assessment fess; and

TESDA copy of the TWSP Scholarship Grant duly signed by the concerned officials

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
J. Monitoring and Evaluation of Reports

 The monitoring and mentoring requirements of the PM0 shall be

observed which shall include the new Performance and Monitoring
Report (BEDs and BFARs). Regular and timely submission of
accurate and consistent data shall be strictly followed and shall be
submitted on every 3rd day of the following month; and
 The physical and the financial reports as reflected in the template
shall always be consistent for correct and accurate reporting to
oversight agencies.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
List of Farm Schools

 DA-ATI LIST OF LEARNING SITES; SCHOOL FOR PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE (SPA).xlsx

 DA-ATI LIST OF EXTENSION SERVICE PROVIDERS (ESPs).xlsx
 LIST of DAR-IDENTIFIED FARM BUSINESS SCHOOL.xlsx
 LIST OF DAR-IDENTIFIED LINKS FARM.xlsx
 DOT - List of Accredited Establishment Farm School.xlsx

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY
“That's one small step
for a man, one giant
leap for mankind”

― Neil Armstrong
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AUTHORITY