BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL SITE
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL SITE
Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School (GBDAIS) is a public secondary and vocational institution nestled in the mountainous area of Balakbak, Kapangan, Benguet. The school sits in a peaceful setting surrounded by greenery and views. The weather is warm and sunny sometimes but cold and misty in the area - especially in early mornings & during the wet season. This gives the school a rural feel and creates a refreshing and inspiring learning environment.
It was founded in 1961 and named for late Gov. Bado Dangwa. Decades later, GBDAIS has extended its offerings from vocational courses to academic programs, including Senior High School strands like HUMSS / STEM / ABM and TLE with multiple specializations and Sports. The school also maintains partnerships with higher education institutions like Benguet State University. Blending tradition, innovation and community engagement, GBDAIS is a beacon of affordable and meaningful education in Benguet highlands.
The school was first established on June 18, 1961 by virtue of R.A. No. 3405, authored by Congressman Ramon P. Mitra Sr. as his tangible gratitude to his political friend, the former governor of the old Mt. Province - Gov. Bado Dangwa to the local residents of Balakbak for giving him a unanimous vote in three succeeding congressional elections giving his opponent a Zero vote. Its founding name was Benguet Vocational School. It was the first public vocational school ever established in the old Mountain Province making it the oldest existing institution of vocational and academic training.
On June 21, 1969, R.A. No. 5886 converted Benguet Vocational School into Balakbak Agro-Industrial School. The Act was authored by former Assemblyman Andres Cosalan Sr. It added a four-year secondary course in Agriculture in the school curriculum offerings and considering the felt-need of the times and the people in the service areas.
On February 27, 1984, Balakbak Agro-Industrial School became Gov. Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School in memory of the late Gov. Bado Dangwa through Batas Pambansa 720 authored by Assemblyman Andres Cosalan Sr. This was the year the school is named GBDAIS. It continues to grow and develop since then.
On June 31, 1994, the school was authorized by the Department of Education Culture and Sports to offer, in consortium with Benguet School of Arts and Trade, Bachelor of Secondary Education specializing in the different technology courses and Bachelor of Elementary Education that ended automatically in the School Year 2002-2003 when the Regional Director advised the Vocational School Administrator to stop the two –year trade technical course (Post-Secondary) as a result of the Educational Commission’s creation of DepEd, TESDA and CHED. The integration law of tertiary schools to state universities within the province automatically revoked our consortium with (BSAT).
Consequently, this school had entered into a MOA with BSU providing for a consortium between BSU & GBDAIS that this institution continues to offer BEED & BSED degree programs.
However, on May 24, 2013, the school received a letter from BSU informing the Suspension of the Renewal & Implementation of the Consortium Agreement with the Benguet State University and GBDAIS because according to the letter, there is a need to review the consortium to pave the way for the university to be able to institute the necessary reforms of the programs under this scheme and make an evaluation if this scheme is beneficial and effective to our student.
Another turning point of our school’s history is the establishment of its Extension. In 2007 GBDAIS Extension came into existence due to the popular clamor of the people of Taba-ao to open a high school in their place to reduce their financial burden, to directly oversee their children’s well-being & other parents’ concerns that eventually convinced the initiators to work harder for its realization. However, in 2021, the GBDAIS extension and Taba-ao Elementary School decided to be converted as an Integrated School. Thus, ending its extension services from GBDAIS.
The school is also chosen to participate in the early implementation of the Senior High School in the SY 2015-2016 with a total of 27 enrollee.
At present, GBDAIS Senior High School Program is offering Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Technology and Livelihood Education with 16 specializations and just this school year, accountancy, and Business management and Sports track is now being offered.
This school year also marks the return of Benguet State University to GBDAIS offering their extension classes for Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Bachelor of Elementary Education. This is through the initiative of the Municipal Mayor Manny Fermin to address the need and request of the people of Kapangan for a tertiary education in the municipality.
The school reached its present growth and status through the concerted efforts of all concerned and through the leadership of all the school heads since its beginning until now. The following school heads in chronological order has ably managed GBDAIS: Mr. Julian Corpuz, Mr. Lucino Aquino, Mr. Honorio Estera, Mr. Platon Maglalang, Mr. Abundio F. Luzadas, Mr. Policarpio R. Sabado, Dr. Mariano S. Alodos (the 1st Igorot & alumni to head the school and the last to occupy the position of the office of a Vocational School Administrator), Dr. Jimmy D. May-os holding the position of a School Principal I since Mr. Estera). Ms. Jane A. Angluben the 1st female to head the school. And at present, the school is under the leadership of Dr. Cherrelene A. Comom.
DepEd Vision
We dream of Filipinos who passionately love their country and whose values and competencies enable them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to building the nation. As a learner-centered public institution, the Department of Education continuously improves itself to better serve its stakeholders.
DepEd Mission
To protect and promote the rights of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education where: students learn in a child-friendly, gender sensitive, safe, and motivating environment. Teachers facilitate learning and constantly nurture every learner. Administrators and staff, as stewards of the institution, ensure an enabling and supportive environment for effective learning to happen. Family, community, and other stakeholders are actively engaged and share responsibility for developing life-long learners.
DepEd Core Values
Maka-Diyos, Maka-tao, Makakalikasan, Makabansa
DepEd Mandate
The Department of Education was established through the Education Decree of 1863 as the Superior Commission of Primary Instruction under a Chairman. The Education agency underwent many reorganization efforts in the 20th century in order to better define its purpose vis a vis the changing administrations and charters. The present day Department of Education was eventually mandated through Republic Act 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic Education act of 2001 which establishes the mandate of this agency.
The Department of Education (DepEd) formulates, implements, and coordinates policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education. It supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private; and provides for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development.
Looking back to the idea of a conducive learning environment, Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School gives quality education in terms of academic and technical vocational skills. When I first came to the school, I saw how peaceful and quiet it was. How active yet straightforward all the people in this community are regarding social activities.
The school fosters quality, skilled, and hard-trained teachers, essential in shaping and achieving students' academic excellence. The learning environment has the necessary tools and equipment for teaching and learning. These include TVs, printers, tools, and equipment for TVL courses and other learning materials. The facilities like the library, clinic, and comfort rooms are also clean and functional. I like how their clinic offers free medicine for all. These are the several strengths of the school.
Since there is no such thing as perfect, I also noticed some of its weaknesses. One very evident issue is the internet connection. In GBDAIS, there is no signal, so I could not use my cellular data. They do have Wi-Fi at the school, but the connection is sometimes slow. That's inconvenient for us since we primarily rely on online materials nowadays. Another thing that I noticed is that some of the buildings are damaged and are subject to repair. Though it does not involve critical safety concerns, prevention is still better. Moreover, some classrooms require electric fans as the school tends to be hotter after lunch. I remember how my students complained to me about how hot it was, and all I could do was throw a lousy joke like, "Sorry, do I need to get out?". Kidding aside, it shows that even a single fan could affect the students' attention.
To address these concerns, the school should continuously cooperate with other sectors, such as local government units, who are willing to donate to improve the internet connection, enhance and repair those buildings, and install more electric fans. Another suggestion is to hold PTA meetings to address the aforementioned issues and raise funds to benefit everybody.
In summary, Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School offers a conducive learning environment. This school fosters quality education and shapes students into good and better citizens of our country. To experience the learning environment at GBDAIS is an honor I will continue to carry along my journey.