Youth, student leaders score Marcos for mandatory ROTC, snubbed education crises

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A joint statement of Akbayan Youth, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar (Bukluran) Marcos’ concern for the education sector is as fake as his Oxford diploma. 

Amid a crisis on student dropouts and mental health problems, Marcos’ solution is to add to the burden of students by forcing them to go under ROTC. 

During the height of the pandemic, more than 4 million students have dropped out of their schools. More than half of students reported that online classes have affected their mental health. 

Marcos’ priority on mandatory ROTC shows that he is out of touch with the needs of the youth and students. He vows to end horror stories on educational materials but failed to provide a plan to improve competencies on science, math and reading where Filipino students rank lowest globally. 

The youth and students will ensure that mandatory ROTC won’t be revived from the dead and that real solutions to the education crises happen: increasing the education budget to the global standard, ensuring mental health support for students, improving quality of education, and protection of students rights and welfare.

PH wins 2 bronzes, 4 honorable mentions at 63rd International Mathematical Olympiad

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The country’s winning ways at the world cup of mathematics continues. 

 

Six Filipino students took home two bronze medals and four honorable mentions at the 63^rd International Mathematical Olympiad, which was held in-person for the first time after two years. 

 

IMO first-timer Mohammad Nur Casib of the Philippine Science High School-Central Mindanao and two-time IMO medalist Raphael Dylan Dalida of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)-Main Campus led the way for the Philippines, snatching two bronzes after scoring 24 and 23 points, respectively. 

 

Sarji Elijah Bona of the De La Salle University Senior High School, who won a bronze medal last year, received an honorable mention this time along with Rickson Caleb Tan of MGC New Life Christian Academy, Filbert Ephraim Wu of Victory Christian International School and Enrico Rolando Martinez of the PSHS-Main Campus. 

 

A total of 589 contestants from 104 countries participated in the 63^rd IMO held in Oslo, Norway, which finally snapped the two years of conducting the competition online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

The Philippines ranked 55^th out of all the participating countries. Since joining the IMO in 1988, the country has won a total of four gold medals, 16 silver medals, 37 bronze medals and 30 honorable mentions. 

 

This year, 44 gold medals, 101 silver medals, 140 bronze medals, and 210 honorable mentions were awarded. 

 

“I am very proud and happy that our Filipino students continue to excel in Mathematics and perform well in international competitions,” said DOST Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo. “These medals and honorable mentions are proof of their excellence, hard work and dedication and evidence that the Filipino youth are achievers in the international arena.” 

DOST-SEI brings back in-person science camp to Camiguin Island

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The fight towards a greener and healthier environment continues.

After going virtual in 2021, the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI) in-person Climate Science Youth Camp (CSYC) made its comeback in the province of Camiguin, bringing its trademark deep-dive into the world of marine scientists.

The science camp, which was held from June 24 to 29, instilled key knowledge and skills that emphasize the youth’s role in addressing climate vulnerability in coastal areas, thus, the theme “Oceans in a Changing World: Building Resilience in Coastal Communities.”

Led by DOST-SEI's partner, the University of the Philippines – Marine Science Institute (UP MSI), 48 student- and teacher-campers from 16 public high schools in the province were taught about various concepts about hydrological cycle, climate change, the importance of marine ecosystem and the services and benefits it provide to coastal communities.

 

In the span of a week, the campers were able to experience the real-life work of marine scientists through interactive learning activities and field exposures such as water sampling, snorkeling, plankton observation, and coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove identification.

Long-time Camp Director, Dr. Aletta Yñiguez of UP MSI, said that this year’s CSYC reinforced the value of hands-on interaction between the campers and the scientists as it strengthens and enhances learning. “It gives a very different experience to the students and teachers and brings out the energy and enthusiasm of both the facilitators and the campers.”

DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo challenged the participants to apply their learning and ripple the camp’s impact in their own communities through pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

“Now more than ever, we should answer the call to strengthen our efforts and to transform our ways to make the world we live in a better one. And we, at DOST-SEI believe that the youth is not just the hope of our future, but also our partner in taking action now,” said Dr. Biyo.

The Science Camp, which has followed an evolving exposure platform since 2011, has been bridging the basics of climate science and the critical impacts experienced in coastal communities among high school students.