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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider This House-passed bill could help address STEM education woes 

This House-passed bill could help address STEM education woes 

Published Feb 8, 2024 12:47 am

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives has approved a measure that could help address the country's perceived shortcomings in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. 

IMG-5736d35b555553fafd598ee4b8308419-V-01.jpegHouse of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives has approved a measure that could help address the country's perceived shortcomings in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Approved during plenary session Wednesday, Feb. 7 was House Bill (HB) No. 9726 or the proposed “Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act". The bill received 215 affirmative votes en route to its third and final reading passage.

The measure seeks the expansion of the scope and operations of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campuses from one campus to two per region, but limited to one PSHS per province.

It is intended to strengthen PSHS’ leadership role in secondary STEM education.

“Our Philippine Science High School System (PSHS) campuses offer secondary courses with special emphasis on STEM students with high aptitude or who are gifted in science and mathematics on a free scholarship basis,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement after HB No.9726's passage.

“Through this bill, we aim to expand the number of PSHS campuses per region, making world-class education even more accessible to more deserving Filipino students across the country," he said.

Romualdez said the bill will not only improve the management of PSHS, but also accommodate more government scholars, and increase the access to quality, free and globally competitive education for the country's science, technology and innovation manpower.

The proposed law empowers the PSHS Board of Trustees in the development of policies, guidelines and criteria necessary to maintain the quality and uniform educational standard in all PSHS Campuses.

The bill also formulates the coverage, criteria, place of study and other guidelines for applicants of the science and technology scholarship program.

Section 18 of HB No.9726 also provides that income generated from school fees collected by the PSHS campuses will be reported and deposited to an authorized government depository bank as a trust fund of the PSHS System to be used for its priority programs and activities.

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Philippine Science High School House of Representatives Martin Romualdez Third and Final Reading
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