New law creates technical schools for skills training

Gov. Juan N. Babauta has signed a bill into law that calls for the creation of a technical education program in the CNMI. The program shall initially be offered at Marianas High School, Tinian High School, and Rota High School.

In signing House Bill 14-210, Babauta said the legislation brings a focused approach to quality technical and vocational education in the CNMI.

“This program, when implemented will serve the dual purpose of providing employment to our resident population, as well as reducing our reliance on nonresident labor,” said the governor.

The program, which may eventually be expanded to other schools, aims to train students to prepare them for skilled jobs in the community.

Based on the estimate provided by the Public School System, some $2 million is needed to develop a technical program. The bill provides that such funding would come from 10 percent of the jackpot tax, $25 from every nonresident worker registration and renewal fee “as well as any local appropriations and federal grants for vocational education.”

Babauta said the Department of Finance estimates the jackpot tax to generate approximately $1.1 million.

“This presents a dilemma,” he said, citing that, under the continuing resolution, these revenues are part of the revenue estimates for 2005 and have already been fully appropriated.

“If revenues are diverted to this new program, other critical services will need to go unfunded,” he said.

Further, he said that if these revenues were to be used for the technical education program, the shortfall would reach $900,000.

The governor also echoed PSS’ concerns that the bill lacks specificity with respect to inter-agency cooperation and shared funding and the need to coordinate with existing vocational and job placement programs.

He asked the Legislature to consider the concerns and incorporate them into any future amendments.

“I sign this measure into law because of this administration’s unqualified commitment to education as the key to improving the lives and living standards of our community,” he said.

He urged the Legislature to consider the funding needs in its future budget deliberations.

The bill, authored by House Education Committee chair Rep. Justo Quitugua, became Public Law 14-54.

The bill’s original proposal was for a pilot technical school only on Saipan.

Quitugua said there is a need to integrate technical curriculum in public high schools to prepare students for higher education or immediate employment.

It said that many students who are not inclined to pursue higher education are experiencing tremendous difficulty in finding jobs in the Commonwealth for lack of technical skills or training.

The bill was introduced early this year based on a PSS survey indicating that 88 percent responded favorably to the creation of a technical school.

The bill seeks to establish a curriculum development advisory committee to recommend courses that would be taught at the technical school.

According to the bill, the Education commissioner would appoint teachers and program administrators to the committee from parent-teacher associations of public high schools, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association, Saipan Rotary Club, Northern Marianas College, and other groups.