DOST working with DepEd, CHED to revive PH students' interest in science

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is collaborating with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to revive the interest of Filipino students in scientific fields.

During a press conference in Batangas City on Thursday, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said one of the issues with the country's educational system was the focus on memorization instead of understanding processes.

As a result, Solidum said, students are mostly unable to keep their interest in scientific topics due to a lack of opportunities to explore their curiosities.

In response to this, the DOST is now working with the DepEd, CHED, and private sector to establish additional laboratories and provide facilities that further integrate science into classrooms.

"The reason why students are not into science is that they don't have the tools, the toys to answer the questions that they have in mind… The focus now should be creative thinking and not memorization. The real problem with our educational system is that we were told to memorize a lot but we were not given the chance to really understand the process so that you don't need to memorize anymore," Solidum said.

The DOST is now targeting to introduce more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) systems in classrooms.

The K to 12 education program currently offers the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) academic strand for senior high school (SHS) students in preparation for their college education.

The revised SHS program, which underwent extensive review and consultation from education stakeholders, is being piloted for School Year 2025-2026.

Science High Schools

Solidum said the DOST is also looking to expanding its Science High School System as another move to promote interest in science.

"We need to also showcase educational technologies that are already available so that we can help DepEd and, of course, public and private schools to really improve on the way science, technology, engineering, mathematics are being taught," he added.

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed into law the expansion of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) system as part of the government's efforts to promote science and technology (S&T) and research and development (R&D).

The PSHS System, which is under the administrative supervision of the DOST, will be composed of at least two PSHS campuses in each administrative region of the country.

Meanwhile, Solidum shared that another way to boost interest in STEM was to open more job opportunities in the country.

"You cannot fault parents who prefer nursing or medical doctor because they could all have that [job security], but if we have the same situation where companies would locate in different universities, then they don't need to get out of their towns or cities. They will have jobs in their own backyard. And I think that would encourage more students to go into STEM," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News