BRIEF HISTORY
REPUBLIC ACT 6585
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PROSPERIDAD, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, TO BE KNOWN AS THE AGUSAN DEL SUR SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES, AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS THEREFOR
Section 1
There shall be established under the direct supervision of the Director of Vocational Education, a school of arts and trades in the Municipality of Prosperidad, Province of Agusan del Sur, to be known as the Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades: Provided, However, That only a general education curriculum with practical arts shall be offered in the first and second years, and the vocational education curriculum shall be offered in the third and fourth years: Provided, Further, That the school shall offer short vocational courses for training in vocations needed in the locality which shall be open to elementary school graduates: Provided, Finally, That the school shall open, as soon as feasible, two-year post secondary technical courses.
Section 2
The sum of two hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the establishment, operation and maintenance of said school during the fiscal year nineteen hundred seventy-one. Thereafter, such sum as may be needed for its operation and maintenance shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 3
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Since the creation of ASSAT through R.A. 6585 in 1972, it passes three stages of historical evolution from Secondary Vocational School to Vocational Technical Education and Training Institution and later as TESDA Technical Institution with the passage of RA 7796 otherwise known as TESDA Law. Its Distinctive Area of Competence is Automotive Servicing NC II.
In the first stage of its operation, the school offers purely vocational secondary education. It was later reclassified as Technical-Vocational Institution offering 2-Yr and 3-Yr technical courses. In the last part of the second stage a Memorandum Circular was passed phasing-out the 2-Yr and 3-Yr curriculum and replacing it with Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) causing a significant decrease in enrollment.
The 3rd stage of the historical evolution of ASSAT is a watershed because it shifted paradigm by being not only as a training institution but as a bridge for employment. Think about it: the turn of events. ASSAT is not only interested in skills training - formal, non-formal, skills upgrading, community based and others. It is a great mark in the march of the history of the institution as it becomes not only a producer of middle level manpower but sells its products through jobs bridging and job placement of its graduates. This is remarkably challenging for ASSAT – as it engages in training – bridging – marketing – employment.
Being the only public technical vocational institution in Agusan del Sur, ASSAT has greatly contributed in the implementation of the province’ mission and goals to “improve the quality of life of Agusanons especially the marginalized sectors through effective, accountable and participatory governance in Mindanao” by giving access to quality and sustainable social services through offering affordable quality technical vocational education and skills training for gainful employment of its constituent.