MATH AND SCIENCE PROFICIENCY

The country’s officials believe there is an urgent need for the creation of math and science high schools in every province.

This, after a UNESCO reported cited that the Philippines has one of the lowest number of researchers among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to officials, a robust research and development sector is essential to achieving high-income status. This specialized academic preparation opens doors to critical thinking, financial literacy, and evidence-based decision-making and these skills are highly critical to the improvement of the nation’s economy as it relies on a workforce proficient in math and science.

Officials also pointed to a report from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2018, which showed that the Philippines ranked second lowest in Science and Mathematics from 79 countries that participated.

In the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the Philippines also came in last out of 58 countries in mathematics and science.

The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019 also showed that only 17 percent of Grade 5 learners met the minimum standards in mathematics expected for the end of primary.

To address these issues, Senate Bill 476, or the Equitable Access to Math and Science Education Act, has been filed. It seeks to provide equitable access to quality education in the pure and applied sciences, mathematics, and technology for all Filipinos to nurture future generations of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and other professionals who will serve the nation as catalysts for scientific, technological, and industrial progress.

Math and science are the foundations to promote innovation in our country. If we can build public math and science high schools in every province, we can ensure that all corners of the country will have competent) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professionals na makakatulong sa ating pag-unlad (that will help in our development), officials said.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at DOLORES NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL