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Article title: Government's Support to Science Education by Hon. Estrella F. Alabastro, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) DOST Complex. Bicutan, Taguig City

Reference:https://s.docworkspace.com/d/ADfCdOTR1vtHwtCr05anFA

Abstract

Science education has always played an important role in the development of a country. It has been jnstmmental in imparting the 'hard' skills and knowledge to our students to enable them to make a living. For many years now, science education has helped the Philippines develop a workforce to support the demands of industry, agriculture: service and the academe. Recognizing the role tbat science and technology play in bringing about economic growth and development, nations are taking steps to strengthen its science and technology capabilities. But for a developing country like the Philippines, the daunting challenges of reconciling the increasingly limited availability of resources! escalating costs of research and development, and the rapid race complexity of technological innovation still continue.

Teacher scholarship programs

The DOST also supports various scholarship programs aimed to fill in the gaps in the number of competent science and math teachers, specifically in the areas of Physics. Among them are: Cooperative Pre-Service Education for Science and Mathematics Teachers (Project 8102 Ed) in cooperation with the PNU, DLSU and TlJP Manila Partial Scholarship for BSE Major in Physics (Project 9001 Ed.) Scholarship Program for Science and Math Education, Major Physics (RSTC Project 8901 Ed)

Developing teacher's capability

There is a constant need to provide in-service training to equip teachers with both content knowledge and teaching skills for subjects like physics~ chemistry, biology and integrated science. Of all these areas of specialization, the most wanting of trained teachers is physics, where more than 92% of those already in the teaching force are neither majors nor minors in this discipline.

The DOST has been implementing new teaching and learning approaches to prepare our young to cope successfully in a knowledge -based economy and at the same time to create a challenging learning experience for both teacher and pupil this includes:

e-Training for Science and Mathematics Teachers is an online training designed to upgrade the competence and confidence of public and private science and math teachers in the elementary and secondary levels. This I0- month pilot online training program commenced in November 2005 and concluded in August 2006. Selected TEis served as nationwide training venues where participants were trained simultaneously using on-Jinc mode and printed modules.

Project MUST

Launched in 2001, MUST is a 90-hr non-degree teacher training program designe-0 to enhance content knowledge and to update teaching strategics of elementary science and math teachers who serve Muslim pupils and youth from other ethnic groups in Mindanao. A total of 6,331 participants were trained under the program from 2001-2005.

Conclusion of this article

While the Department of Science and Technology has already put in place intervention programs to bring about improvements in S& T education, much work has yet to be initiated and done. Since the government has identified different shortcomings along with teaching to not just primary but also in secondary and tertiary in Science, The DOST is being highly supported by the government. This just proves that science plays a big role in developing a country, Especially in terms of building the economy.