The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will establish a training center in Eastern Visayas to strengthen the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and improve students’ performance in DOST scholarship qualifying examinations.
The center will be housed at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campus in Palo, Leyte, and will provide training to STEM teachers across the region.
DOST Eastern Visayas Regional Director John Glenn Ocaña said the agency aims to establish the center within the year, with PSHS teachers serving as trainers. The Department of Education (DepEd) will identify teachers who will undergo the training.
“We need more trained teachers teaching STEM subjects since some of the existing teachers are not really trained. They are just tasked to teach STEM due to lack of manpower. This center will have a positive impact on the result of qualifying examinations for our scholarships,” Ocaña told the Philippine News Agency.
Ocaña said the passing rate for the DOST scholarship qualifying examination in Eastern Visayas has remained below 10 percent in recent years.
In 2023, for instance, only 371 of more than 7,000 applicants passed the qualifying examination, he said.
He added improving the quality of STEM instruction would help prepare more students for the scholarship examination and potentially increase the number of qualified scholars from the region.
The DOST Science and Technology (S&T) Undergraduate Scholarship Program aims to encourage talented Filipino youth to pursue productive careers in science and technology and help ensure a steady supply of qualified S&T professionals who can contribute to national development.
Scholarship qualifiers receive a monthly living allowance of PHP8,000, annual book allowance of PHP10,000, and a PHP1,000 clothing allowance during their first year. They may also receive a thesis allowance of PHP10,000 and summer allowances if their curriculum requires summer classes.
Scholars must pursue priority fields of study in basic sciences, engineering, applied sciences, and science and mathematics teaching. (PNA)
