DepEd funnels more
funds to science schools

THE Department of Education on Wednesday said it will raise funding for science education in the country by allocating to the 17 regional science high schools (RSHS) as much as P1 million each on top of their regular budget.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said students in these specialized schools will also get a P 2,000 annual subsidy for their education. The additional funding, Lapus said, will bring annual subsidies to these schools to P 29,444,000.

He said the funding boost is needed to strengthen science and technology education in the country which is lagging behind its counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region. "If we are to nurture a cadre of future scientists and leaders, we need to fully support our regional science high schools which have an enriched Science, Mathematics and English curriculum," Lapus said. "We need to empower our science schools so they can stimulate and challenge our students to be more creative and primed to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

Lapus said the P2 million will be used for the training and professional upgrading of teachers, principals and officers-in-charge directly managing the RSHS, acquisition of equipment, repair of old ones, upgrading of computers and laboratory equipment, purchase of supplies, instructional materials for Science, English and Mathematics and other subject areas, professional books, videos, software, and internet subscription.

DepEd figures showed that for school year 2007-2008, the 17 RSHS attracted 6,222 students. Lapus said they hope to attract more with the additional funding.