JOLO, Sulu – Neophyte Representative Habib Tupay T. Loong (1st District, Sulu) is pushing for the conversion of one of the oldest school in this town – the Hadji Butu School of Arts and Trades – to be a State College.

Loong filed House Bill (HB) 2780 on August 24, seeking to convert the said school to be known as the Hadji Butu State Polytechnic College.

Loong said that upgrading the status of schools in the province is also one of the solutions to eradicate the insurgency problem besetting the entire as parents can now send their children to schools or colleges in the province to earn a college degree.

The Hadji Butu School of Arts and Trades was established in 1928 with Woodworking and Sheet Metal Working as its pioneering courses, he said. Adding that several courses were also added to its curricula until the advent of World War II (WWII) which razed the school to the ground.

In 1948, its administrator availed of the magnanimity of the Philippine War Damages Reconstruction and re-built the school.

Until now, it continuously offered vocational and technical courses for the people of Sulu.

Due to the advancement in technology and the escalating demand for technically skilled workers, there is now a need to equip the youth of Sulu to meet these challenges, he pointed out.

The school, when converted into a college, will primarily provide advanced instruction and professional training in science and technology and other related fields, undertake research and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in these areas, Loong said.

He said the proposed college will continue to offer undergraduate courses, graduate and short-term courses within its areas of specialization and capabilities, to carry out its objectives to meet the needs of the province and the region.

“Specifically, the college will undertake academic advancement in the field of engineering, radiologic technology, computer courses, industrial technology, practical and industrial arts and sciences, short-term technical courses such as carpentry, house electrical wiring, plumbing, masonry, computer technology, electronic appliances technology, automotive, welding, home management, food technology and also high speed sewing machines operations and repair,” he enumerated.