The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government units (LGUs) to set up science high schools to train the country’s future researchers and scientists.
DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Christina L. Guevara said it is about time for the DepEd and the LGUs to consider putting up science high schools.
“I hope that the Department of Education together with the local government units will put up more science high schools, yan ang paraan natin para mapaganda natin ang (that’s our way to improve) facilities for these talented young people who can be our future researchers,” she said during the the second webinar series of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines Information, Opportunities and Networking or VISION 2021, conducted by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) on July 16.
She expressed hope that more LGU-sponsored science high schools will be created so that high school students will be given “the opportunity to work with world-class facilities.”
During the webinar, participants expressed concern that some high schools do not have adequate equipment, facilities and laboratories for aspiring researchers.
Guevara said currently, the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System, an attached agency of the DOST, has 16 campuses. The PSHS, popularly known as Pisay, is a research-oriented and specialized public high school system.