23/01/2022
CRP: The Beginning of the End of Review Centers?
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) categorically denied it is competing with maritime review centers when it introduced the Competency Review Portal (CRP) last November, which is designed to help seafarers prepare for the theoretical examinations for marine officers.
During the Facebook Live Telecast of Kuya Sead, however, STCW Office Executive Director Rene Medina encouraged seafarers planning to take the theoretical part of the licensure exams to just spend their budget for review for their families instead of enrolling in any review centers.
“Alam natin na bawat centavo ng seaman ay pinaghirapan; alam natin ang hirap nila sa barko. So bakit pa kayo magsasayang ng pera? Andito na po ang tutulong sa inyo (sa exams).” ED Medina commented.
Instead, he advised seafarers to set aside their budget for the loved ones. “Itulong na lang ninyo sa pamilya nyo o pasalubong na lang ninyo sa nanay at tatay nyo yung (budget na) pang-enroll ninyo sa mga review centers.
“This is really designed to prepare you for the exam na hindi na kayo gagastos. Iyon ang intention ng administration natin,” the official of the STCW Office emphasized.
He however quickly added: “Hindi naming sinadya na ikumpetensya ang mga review centers pero sinadya naming hindi na kayo gagastos. Ang babayaran nyo lang yung dating exam fee na given na talaga.”
CRP provides seafarer examinees wanting to become management level or operational level officers access to actual test questions to be given in the theoretical exams; it include diagnostic test to identify areas that the examinees needed further study.
As his parting words, ED Medina told seafarers: “Alam kong hirap ninyo sa barko kaya huwag na kayong magsayang ng pera sa review centers. Nakatitiyak pa kayong (nasa CRP) ang lalabas na questions sa exams.”
The business of review centers has benefitted many people for many years, but there are indications that it started losing its relevance with the advent of CRP. Will CRP the final nail to review centers’ coffin?
