Gov’t offers scholarships to S&T college students

MANILA, Philippines - The government is offering scholarship grants next semester to 500 third year college students who are currently taking science, technology, math, and engineering courses.

Officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) signed Monday the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10612 or the Fast-tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 2013.

“We need passionate individuals to push for careers in science and math, especially in developing the mindsets of the Filipino youth,” said former AGHAM Party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones, one of the authors of the law.

Palmones said the implementation of RA 10612 is the “realization of Section 8 of the K to 12 law,” which pushes for the hiring of graduates of science, math, statistics, engineering and other specialists as teachers.

DOST-Science Education Institute director Josette Biyo said they are offering 500 slots this year.

The Junior Level Science Scholarship examination will be administered by the SEI on Sept. 20.

Biyo said next year they will offer 1,000 slots.

Applicants must be a Filipino citizen, a regular college student, and currently enrolled in any state universities or colleges or in private universities under any of the priority S&T courses identified by the Commission on Higher Education.

The scholars will receive P10,000 for tuition subsidy per semester, P5,000 monthly stipend, and P5,000 book allowance, among others.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the DepEd will ensure job placement and hiring of qualified graduates under this program as secondary school teachers in science, mathematics and related technology courses.

Luistro said through the scholarship program, practitioners in science, math, engineering, statistics can share their own experiences in their respective fields of expertise as teachers in the Senior High School.

“This will in turn provide for more comprehensive, extensive, and holistic lessons for the students,” he said.