Let’s build math, science schools in every province – Gatchalian

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to establish math and science school in each province in the Philippines.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 369 or Equitable Access to Math and Science Education Act mandated all provinces to cooperate with the Department of Education (DepEd) to establish at least one public math and science high school within their respective provincial capitals.

Under the measure, schools may be established through “construction of new school facilities, the conversion or reorganization of an existing school, or the renovation and re-opening of currently non-operational school facilities or other idle government-owned property.”

The bill also mandated schools to implement six-year integrated junior high school curriculum that focuses on advanced science, mathematics and technology subjects under DepEd and the Department of Science and Technology.

The revised curriculum of the Philippine Science High School system for Grades 7 to 12 will also be used as the basis for the curriculum of schools.

The bill also stated that the funds for establishing schools will be sourced from DepEd’s budget and will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.