Science and math teachers, especially those teaching in grades 1 to 4, may soon get advanced degrees in order to improve their teaching capacities.
Dr. Florentino Tesoro, former undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) undersecretary, said the Agham Party List is developing a ladderized education system with the University of the Philippines at Los Banos Open University for science and math teachers.{{more}}
Tesoro made the announcement during the opening of the Visayas Islands Science and Technology Fair at the Robinson’s Mall Dumaguete last Tuesday.
Tesoro, who is now chief of staff of Agham Party List Rep. Angelo Palmones, said the move is intended to encourage math and science teachers to study. “They always say they have no time to study because of their many requirements,” he said.
This program, he said, allows teachers to be awarded certificates for each semester. After the fourth semester, the teachers may want to write a thesis and get their advanced degree.
Another project of the Agham Party List is to partner with four state universities in offering a bachelor’s degree in meteorology to improve the forecasting abilities of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
This BS Meteorology program will get students who are into engineering, math and physics and give them a two-year scholarship for the meteorology degree. “We want to cut short on the BS,” Tesoro said.
Meanwhile, the head of DOST’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute has challenged inventors to secure patents for their inventions in order to protect their intellectual property as well as avail of financial and technical assistance from their office.
“Local inventors are hesitant to disclose the details of their inventions,” Engr. Edgar Garcia, TAPI director, said in a press conference.
He dismissed fears of inventors that their inventions may be copied once they divulge their inventions to the TAPI. “These are unfounded. Who is doing the copying from whom? Until now, no inventor can name names of inventors whose works have been copied,” Garcia said. “The reason is simply that they don’t trust us,” he said.