Gov’t pressed to invest in education

House Speaker Ben Fitial on Friday urged the CNMI government to make programs aimed at improving the Commonwealth’s educational system in light of economic diversification plans.

Mr. Fitial said the government’s efforts to diversify and revitalize the local economy is dependent heavily on a strong educational system, explaining that both small- and large-scale investments require qualified workers.

“There is literally no area of new investment that makes sense for the CNMI, particularly any that promises the possibility of significant local employment, that does not depend on a well-educated local work force,” he pointed out.

Education and quality of life are two of the most important factors that most often attract new businesses to locations outside the mainland United States.

Mr. Fitial underscored the need for the government to initiate a program of steady investment and regular improvement in Commonwealth schools through new technology, teachers, areas of instruction and higher education.

“This must also be the kind of program in which we involve our local businesses, new and old. They have the greatest stake in improved educational performance and skills. They should be partners in helping fostering both,” he added.

As this developed, the government has started developing apprenticeship programs, including the Certificate of Initial Mastery which will be offered with a special curriculum, in partnership with the business community.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said CNMI educators have been tasked to develop a special curriculum, based on the job requirements of private sector businesses, for the Certificate of Initial Mastery program.

As part of government efforts to minimize local workers’ heavy reliance on public sector jobs, skills required by the business community will also be the basis in the development of a training program under the Certificate of Initial Mastery.

According to the Quarterly Economic Review released by the Department of Commerce for the first three months of the year, over 3,900 US-born workers in the CNMI are working for the government, while 4,618 work for the private sector.

Workers of Chamorro and Carolinian descent were concentrated in public administration, professional and related services, and retail trade industries.

At the same time, the Public School System and the Northern Marianas College are carrying out fundamental changes in educational and vocational programs that will not only prepare students to take private sector jobs but will also shift their concept on guest worker-held jobs.

Economic experts who have conducted a research on the existing curricula offered in both public high schools and the Northern Marianas College recommend the setting up of a program that focuses more directly to career preparedness.

Experts said the new curricula must be focused at building up local force to gradually replace guest workers, thereby, reducing the islands’ reliance on foreign labor.