Gattaran National Trade School Brief History

The Gattaran National Trade School, formerly the Gattaran School of Arts and Trades was founded through the initiative of Mayor Fruto C. Elizaga and Mr. Canuto Ma. Marcos on April 25, 1972 as a municipal high school until July 1972. It was nationalized pursuant to the provision of Section 10 of P.D. 1050 and in consonance with the provisions of Section 7-(4) Republic Act 246 through the support of the late Schools Division Superintendent Conrado I. Bacuyag. It is situated along Dummun- Capissayan Highway in Palagao Norte, Gattaran, Cagayan with a total land area of 4.5 hectares of which 1.5 hectares was donated by the late Don Alfredo Dural, owner of Hacienda Dural.

The school was then headed by the Officer-In-Charge Mr. Felimon R. Rabago from 1972 to 1977 during the term of Samuel Mariano as the Barangay Captain of Palagao Norte, at the same time the PTA President. When the school was nationalized in 1977, it was renamed Gattaran National Trade School. Mr. Federico A. Villa became the first Secondary School Principal I and retired in 1989.

On January 30, 1989, Mr. Vicente R. Paguila was assigned as Officer-In-Charge until he was finally promoted as Principal I on June 1, 1989 to December 1994. During his term, the school offered Post-Secondary Courses on Civil Technology, Arc Welding and Fabrication.

Mrs. Clarita M. Agustin, former Education Supervisor of DECS Region 02 succeeded the position as Principal II and later promoted as Vocational School Administrator I in 1996 to September 1998. From October 10 to November 4, 1998, Mr. Ernesto D. Abrincia Jr., the Head Teacher III of the Vocational Department was designated as Officer-In-Charge. In November 1998 to May 10, 1999, Mrs. Elisa S. Laggui, Head Teacher III of the Related-Subjects Department was designated as Officer-In-Charge.

Mr. Rufo P. Calaustro Sr. took over the Vocational School Administrator I position on May 11, 1999. During his leave of absences, Mr. Basilio Bacuyag was designated as Officer-In-Charge and later, Mr. Johnny C. Juan took over as Officer-In-Charge from June 11, 2001 to September 30, 2001.

On October 1, 2001 to January 3, 2011, Dr. Antero A. Bariuan took over the position as Vocational School Administrator I. On January 4, 2011 to June 3, 2011 Dr. Milagros FD. Razote, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent was designated as Officer-In-Charge. From June 10, 2011 to March 10, 2015 Dr. Lolita Cabalza-Unida headed the school as Principal II. After her term, Mr. Lorenzo C. Sagun, Principal II, took over the reign of leadership of GNTS from March 11, 2015 to September 7, 2017. On September 8, 2017 to October 9, 2019 Mrs. Evelyn P. Rapacon headed the school as Principal I. Dr. Rita C. Corpuz, Principal III took over the position from October 10, 2019 to December 10, 2020. At present, Mrs. Leilanie F. Gayuma, Principal I heads the school supported by two department heads, 21 vocational-subject teachers, 30 related-subject teachers, 16 senior high school teachers and 15 facilitative staff.

The school is offering K to 12 Basic Education Program with Special Program in Technical Vocational Education (SPTVE) with the following Competency-Based Trade Skills: Automotive Servicing, Building Construction, Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing, Drafting Technology, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Cosmetology, Dressmaking and Food Trades Technology in the Junior High School.

Meanwhile, the Senior High School offers the following: Academic Track with the following strands: HUMSS and STEM and Technical Vocational Education Track with the following strands: Automotive Servicing NCII, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, BPP/FBS/Cookery NC II, Beauty Nail Care/Hairdressing/Wellness Massage NC II.