Online criticism flares anew vs DepEd decision to drop science from grade school

The Department of Education (DepEd) has come under renewed flak for its decision to officially drop Science from the Grade 1 and 2 curricula. Although the agency made the decision a year ago, a recent article on AsianScientist.com brought the matter into the limelight once more.

 

The issue having since gone viral, the DepEd was bombarded with criticism from scientists, educators, parents, youth groups and lawmakers from around the world. Scientists and educators stressed the importance of early science education on proper child development, while academics and interest groups cited numerous examples of how early science education has contributed to national development.

 

But the DepEd defended their decision by saying that the K-12 program would eventually enhance science education, that science would still be taught in these grade levels by integrating science topics in other subjects, and that science as a subject is too “complex” for grades 1 and 2. DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said that all South East Asian countries except for Brunei use the same format of not teaching Science in grade 1, which is the basis for the K-12 model now being adopted.

 

But Pinoy netizens continue to outraged by this decision, especially now that the news has reached international attention:

 

i don't know that this whole comparing ourselves to SEA's curricula is the right defense for no Science in our classrooms. #DepEd — katstuartsantiago (@radikalchick) February 19, 2013

wow. if Math & Reading are more important than Science, that's to say ABC & 123 more important than LIFE. -- facebook.com/radikalchick/p… -- #DepEd — katstuartsantiago (@radikalchick) February 19, 2013

Whats your take on DepED's move to remove science classes in early childhood education? grades 1-3 under K to 12? — LFS Philippines (@LFSPhilippines) February 19, 2013

WTF DepEd. Removing science from Grade 1 and 2 isn't the solution. A better curriculum to inspire curiosity is!asianscientist.com/academia/phili… — camille zapata (@sosheepster) February 19, 2013

While America puts engineering subjects in kindergarten, the Philippines removes science from second grade. asianscientist.com/academia/phili… — Mike Abundo (@MikeAbundo) February 18, 2013

 

However, the DepEd reiterated its earlier stand that Science is still being taught in schools, albeit not as a separate subject:

 

Science is NOT being dropped. It's integrated in learning areas in gr 1-2. It hasn't been taught as a separate subject in gr 1-2 since 1983. — DepEd (@DepEd_PH) February 18, 2013

Among Brunei,Malaysia,Singapore, the Philippines, only Brunei teaches Science separately in grade 1. The rest do so beginning grade 3 or 4. — DepEd (@DepEd_PH) February 18, 2013

We also allocate the most time to it (Science) in elementary, out of 4 countries - Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines. — DepEd (@DepEd_PH) February 18, 2013

@thedaydreamaway It's not the first time we're responding to this question. We've issued a clarification over a year ago. — DepEd (@DepEd_PH) February 18, 2013

 

— TJD, GMA News