Dominican College of Tarlac

Dominican College of Tarlac
Established	1946
Type	Public
Location	Capas, Tarlac, Philippines

Dominican College of Tarlac, a Catholic School, proud institution of learning, founded by the late Fr. Mariano Sablay, Parish Priests of San Nicolas de Tolentino of Capas, Tarlac in 1946.

St. Dominic is the founder of Order of Preachers(O.P.) and the Patron Saint of DCT.

From 35 students it was established as San Nicolas Academy, the student population at DCT has grown to over 2000 to date, backed up by a faculty, administration and support staff of more than one hundred under its new name Dominican College of Tarlac. DCT has been given an "ABOVE STANDARD" rating by the Department of Education and Fund for Assistance to Private Education(F.A.P.E.).

DCT is affiliated with the Dominican Network of Schools, the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines, the Tarlac Diocesan Schools Association, the Private Secondary Schools Association and the Private Schools Athletic Association among others.

History

As a response to the growing demand for secondary education right in the heart of Capas, San Nicolas Academy was established on February 14, 1947. Only 35 students enrolled for the first and second year classes which were conducted at the old convent of the Parish Church. The first Commencement Exercises with 14 graduates was held on March, 1950. In 1960, the Dominican Sisters took over the administration of the Institution with Sr. Rosalina Mirabueno, O.P. as Principal. The completion of the main building resulted to enrollment of more students and the school gradually expanded its facilities.

In 1967, SNA was renamed, Dominican School, in honor of St. Dominic, Founder of Order of Preachers. Through the years, different religious Sisters took turns in serving Magdalena Olfato, Sr. Catalina Saligumba, Sr. Carmen Tiamzon, Sr. Loreto Penuliar, Sr. Catherine Cachero, and Sr. Caridad S. Bayani.

March of 1973 was the last graduation exercises under the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic. From then on, the new congregation of Daughters of St. Dominic took over the reign of the school---- this time under a Diocesan Organization with Bishop Jesus J. Sison at the helm.

1980 marked a very significant milestone in its history when Sr. Carmen Tiamzon, O.P. Principal of DS then, realized that the school could be of better service to the community of Capas, and nearby towns if it could offer courses other thean elementary and secondary.

What started as simple typing classes, the "mustard seed" grew slowly into college department that now boasts of courses like Associate in Computer Secretarial (ACS), Bachelor of Arts (AB), Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd), and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd). Government recognition was given to the above-mentioned courses in 1985, 1997 and 1999 respectively.

It was not a smooth sailing on the part of the school to gain recognition from the Commission on Higher Education so many voluminous paper works to accomplish but through the concerted efforts of Mrs. Remedios Briones, Dean of the College Department, Mr. Rolando Baun, DS Registrar and Sr. Caridad S. Bayani, O.P. the Sister to whom DCT owes a great part of its present status, the College took a higher dimension.

The school has come a long way. From a population of 35 students when it began as SNA, the number of students has grown today to over 2000 backed by a faculty, administration and support staff of more than one hundred under its new name Dominican College of Tarlac.

All the efforts in upgrading and updating the institution paid of. In 2004, the Fund for Assistance for Private Education(FAPE) evaluated the school and was certified with an above-standard rating.

In 2005, the [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)] issued certification of [Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET)] Programs Registration authorizing DCT to offer the following programs: 2-Year Hotel and Restaurant Management, 2-Year Practical Nursing and Contact Center Training Course. A year after, Bartending (200 hours)and Housekeeping (400 hours) were likewise offered and on March 19, 2007 Finishing Course for Call Center Agents (100 hours) program joined DCT list of short-term courses. All said courses boast National Certificate Level II (NCII).

Concurrently, DCT is arduously ironing out the final rough edges for the approval of three new courses: Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM), Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT). With the never fading intercession of St. Dominic and the never-ending effort of the administration and the faculty, DCT is highly optimistic that these new courses will be offered next school year.

DCT not only prides itself to its increasing enrollment but its accomplishments and achievements as well. In the past years, DCT has been at the forefront of numerous interscholastic activities. It has won honors in competitions not only in Capas but likewise in cluster, division, regional and national levels in both public and private categories.

To better deliver accessible quality education and improvement the achievement level of students, the school has nurtured an environment conducive to optimum learning. Its teachers regularly attend seminars on new teaching strategies. Parents are also very much involved in their children's education as they are regularly appraise of their children's performance through the PTA meetings.

To ensure students will have a holistic training, DCT provides avenues for the development and enhancement of the students' talents and skills. Various clubs and organizations have been organized to meet the needs of the students.

The school believes that the spiritual growth of the students is a top priority among its numerous objectives. Thus, there are regular religious activities where students and teachers actively participate. These include First Friday Masses, Holy Communions, Confessions, Retreats and Gospel Readings.

The Dominican community, made up of students, parents, teachers, administrators, service personnel and alumni, is fully convinced that its past present accomplishments and its sustained pursuit of excellence have provide the foundation for its claim to become an Institution that turns out quality graduates who will compose eventually the so-called transformed society. To this end, DCT forever commits itself.

To enhance the services of the school and to align with higher educational institutions Dominican College of Tarlac had its offices in the middle of the school year 2008 and 2009. Additional offices are the Human Resource Department (HRD), Management Information Service (MIS), Student Affairs and Services (SAS) and Research and Planning Department (RPD). Before the School year ends, Dominican College of Tarlac was at its hot spot again. This is because CHEd and FAPE came again to evaluate the school. And it was glory again for it was rated higher than the previous rate. In 2009, the never ending efforts of the administration bear fruits. Three new courses were offered, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM), Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT). The victory of the BSHRM students on several culinary competitions had proven the quality of teaching in Dominican College of Tarlac. The school year 2010 proves a new history to Dominican College of Tarlac. Being the pioneer school in Tarlac to implement [Genyo Learning], Dominincan College of Tarlac proves its competency. More so, the teachers continuously adept themselves to innovations in teaching to attending seminars, the latest is the [Understanding By Design (UBD)]. The school is currently working for the possibilities of new courses again which are the Midwifery, Business Administration and Associate in Computer Secretarial and Associate in Computer Programming.Now the college had a great interest in a competition with Tarlac State University of Tarlac city and Tarlac College of Agriculture of Camiling,Tarlac

Sister Schools

University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila
Aquinas University, Legaspi City, Albay
Holy Trinity University, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila
Colegio de San Juan de Letran- Calamba, Calamba, Laguna
Colegio de San Juan de Letran- Bataan, Abucay, Bataan
Siena College, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Siena College, Taytay, Taytay Rizal
Angelicum College, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Angelicum School Iloilo, Iloilo City, Iloilo
Dominican College, San Juan City, Metro Manila
Dominican College, Santa Rosa City, Laguna
Saint Catherine's College, Carcar City, Cebu
Siena School of Naga, Naga City, Cebu
Holy Rosary School of Pardo, Pardo, Cebu City, Cebu
San Pedro College, Davao City
Sta. Catalina College of Legarda, Sampaloc, Manila
Camiling Catholic School, Camiling, Tarlac