Starting in 1964 as Mindanao State University Preparatory High School in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi (a mere adjunct to MSU Marawi Preparatory High School), MSU Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography has grown into an institution of academic excellence. More secondary schools were established from 1967 to 1977 in the outlying island municipalities of Tawi-Tawi. By 1990, 20 high schools were put up throughout the province. In 1984, MSU-TCTO Science High School and MSU-TCTO Child Development Center – Laboratory Elementary School were established.
Republic Act No. 6060 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos established the MSU-Sulu College of Technology and Oceanography on August 4, 1969, initially offering degree programs and diploma in Fisheries Technology.[2]
On March 16, 1982, Batas Pambansa Blg. 197 was signed into law, changing the name of Sulu College of Technology and Oceanography into Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography. It became part of the Mindanao State University System as an autonomous campus.[1]