DepEd, DOST boost Sci and Tech scholarships

PASIG CITY, Philippines – In its continuing push to increase access to quality education, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the “Fast-tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 2013”  (Republic Act No. 10612). 

This act aims to increase the number of science, technology, and engineering graduates by offering scholarships to deserving students in their third year of undergraduate study, based on their competitiveness and merit. It also offers additional incentives to attract the graduates of the scholarship program into teaching science, mathematics and technology courses in public or private high schools, especially in their home regions

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC underscored the importance of this country’s teachers to be fully immersed in the subjects they are teaching. “Mahalaga ang programang ito dahil mabibigyan ng kaukulang pansin ang mga mag-aaral na maging guro upang maging bihasa sa kursong agham, teknolohiya, at matematika,” he said.

The signing was witnessed by Former AGHAM party-list representative Angelo Palmones, DOST Assistant Secretary Oswaldo Santos and DOST Science Education Institute (SEI) Director Josette Biyo.

“We need passionate individuals to push for careers in science and math, especially in developing the mindsets of the Filipino youth,” said Palmones. He added that the implementation of the RA 10612 is the “realization of Section 8 of the K to 12 law,” which pushes for the hiring of graduates of science, math, statistics, engineering and other specialists as teachers.

The scholarship is given to those in the fields of science and technology and those in engineering tracks to aid in the economic development of the country through the promotion of research, innovation, as well as utilization of the said fields of study.

DOST-SEI Director Biyo said, “We are opening 500 slots for those who are already in 3^rd year college who are willing to teach. These are students in science, technology, math, and engineering courses.”

The DOST-SEI, as the main implementing body of the act, shall formulate and prescribe timely and relevant guidelines to monitor and evaluate the academic performance of the scholars. As the partner of DOST-SEI, DepEd will ensure job placement and hiring of qualified graduates under this program as secondary school teachers in science, mathematics and related technology courses, as well as the monitoring and evaluating of the teachers under this program. 

“Mahalagang-mahalaga na isinulong natin ang K to 12, sa sangay ng Mother Tongue Based – Multi-Lingual Education, at ang pag-aaral ng agham at matematika ng pang-araw araw ng buhay,” Luistro said.

The education chief mentioned the importance of the signed IRR as an avenue for practitioners in science, math, engineering, statistics and the like to share their own experiences in their respective fields of expertise as teachers in the Senior High School Program. This will in turn provide for more comprehensive, extensive, and holistic lessons for the students. – Rappler.com/Press Release