#smarterPH
Stem institutions urged to strengthen base
WHAT jobs are in store for the Filipino youth? Is our education system sufficiently preparing them for those jobs?
Speaking at “Launchpad to the Stem Collaborative,” last June 28, 2018, Department of Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Lorna Dig-Diño provided an overview of the current status of innovation and Stem education in the country, including DepEd enrolment and curriculum for Stem track. She stressed the vital role that current and future Stem people will continue to play in realizing the current administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, which consists of 75 ambitious flagship projects over the next decade.
However, according to Dig-Diño, “We have 26,629,845 learners. In terms of the future pool of manpower in the country, we have a substantial amount compared to developed countries in Asia. Of these, only 921,000 are in senior high school, and only 226,688 in the Stem track.”
Speaking at the same event, Dean Marie Therese Bustos of the University of the Philippines College of Education presented research showing that an increasing percentage of students are not ready for the demands of the Chemistry competencies at their current grade level.
Citing the 2017 study, RCTQ Study: Teacher Development Needs Study, Bustos’ presentation stated, “A large proportion of DepEd Teachers are poorly prepared to deliver the K to 12 curriculum in Filipino, English, Mathematics, and Science in Grades 6, 8 and 10. In the case of science at all three grade levels, the majority of teachers failed to demonstrate an adequate level of knowledge of the subject.”
Philippine Science High School (Pisay) Executive Director Lilia Habacon shared that Stem Education facilitates the development of 21st century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. These skills are recognized as a requirement for students of today to succeed at work and in life.
DepEd, the UP College of Education, PISAY are consolidating efforts in their commitment to improve the quality of Stem education in the Philippines.
The three institutions convened through Stem. ph, Unilab Foundation’s (ULF) program that aims to strengthen Stem education in the country. At “Launchpad to the Stem Collaborative,”DepEd, PISAY, and UP College of Education presented their shared plans to address the needs of teachers and learners when it comes to Stem.
The most critical of plans is the establishment of a Stem Education Center. This would be the first of its kind in the country,aimedat enhancing Filipino educators’ skills on teaching and expertise on Stem.
“If we want to nurture our learners, if we want to have more quality Stem schools, we must first equip our educators,” said LilibethAristorenas, Executive Director of ULF.
Plans for the Stem Education Centerwere well-received by those present at the event, which included leaders and representatives of government agencies, international NGOs, private institutions, and science professionals and enthusiasts present. Many expressed their willingness to support the Center, in the name of nurturing future Stemequipped generations. ULF