IMPROVE RP RESEARCH, DEVT INITIATIVES IN EDUC - ANGARA

Sen. Edgardo J. Angara has urged universities and the government's education bodies to beef up its implementation of technology and innovation into the school curriculum, emphasizing on research and development. Angara has repeatedly called that the country's education, research and development sectors be upgraded to equip Filipino students sufficient analytical skills and critical thinking abilities.

Angara was speaking at the meeting of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), which he Chairs, calling on the DepEd, CHED and the DOST to continue updating school curricula. At the same time, Angara urged that school facilities, especially in public schools, be drastically improved to allow for better, more conducive learning environment.

The call came after Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, of COMSTE's Technical Advisory Council, reported their program of evaluating and monitoring students' performance in various achievement tests. The program tallies the National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT) results of students in public schools, test scores and general percentage average (GPA) ratings, condition of school facilities, student-teacher ratios and classroom sizes.

"We must keep up with the high demand of scientists and engineers by producing highly skilled professionals to maximize their talents and realize our goals for economic progress. Education has very direct impact on socio-economic development," stressed Angara, former President of the University of the Philippines.

Angara urged that COMSTE and DOST collaborate on an initiative to integrate a system of education tapping information and communication technology (ICT) in all levels of education. He already proposed to enact the Computer Education Board that mandates an integrated computer education at the earliest level of education among children.

He called on COMSTE and DOST to "make use of ICT to beef up public Science High Schools, bring the broadband technology into the classroom and introduce students to downloading electronic materials and references for research, and making use of the available data for school needs and eventually, opportunities for their future."

Angara expressed a willingness to host another meeting with the DepEd, DOST, CHED, COMSTE and other related agencies for updates. And as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he assured said agencies of his support for budgetary concerns