Building a Scientifically Empowered Nation: The Blueprints and Struggles
By SHERWEN B. GALES
Teacher III
Baobaoan Elementary School
East Butuan District II
It has been said that building a globally competent workforce is the creation of a person through improving the productivity of human capital. But how do we get this done? The response is still clear and demanding. It is through education.
A steady and empirical improvement in the education sector has been generated by the introduction of the K-12 curriculum in the Philippines, which began in 2012. Intended to improve learning skills, to prepare learners for a better future, K-12 stresses the need for improved science education that follows a spiral of development. Spiral progression provides sufficient skills and information to be mastered at a certain level of education, as the advancement of learners is a concern. Through this the depths and nuances of knowledge and learning about knowledge and abilities are learned. As mastery and retention are improved, this gain will be used in their respective future business fields.
The role of science education in securing the country’s pool of expert professionals is important. Philosophically, the content and methods of science are beneficial in coping with real life circumstances and issues surrounding them, such as mathematics. This requirement arouses the interest of learners and increases motivation through various related activities that help pave the way for a deeper understanding of life’s concepts and applications.
Nonetheless, teaching science in elementary school is complicated in many respects. First, learners are young people with young minds who when exposed to subjects new to them are vulnerable to stress and boredom. Second, schools do not have adequate tools to be used in experimental hands, such as new books, suitable teaching materials, laboratory facilities and devices. Third, some educators are not completely prepared with the latest knowledge and expertise about what the science curriculum is about and how.
Teaching learners with various levels of learning skills becomes a challenge in this very environment where change is a constant subject. Most teachers would agree that recalling what they have learned is the most important thing a learner can do. Sounds nicer, huh? But in the process, such a barometer is deemed to have less effects. The real score should be based on the actual output of learners. Such a situation, however would serve as a good chance to promote the value of studying science in spiral progression. Via collaboration and partnerships, everyone in the education department must respond to the challenges of keeping things in proportion. That is to draw attention to all needs in order to provide adequate steps in order to safeguard and bring out the best, even in the least possible way.
Creating a globally competitive individual is a vital challenge that is partly in the teachers’ hands. Science is also highly inspiring and fascinating, but the intriguing sense is that some educators do not have the capacity to extend it well. Despite of this, the teachers must smile and bear with it. Teaching science focuses only not with creative learning but it also requires innovative teaching to increase its emphasis to the reality. While intellect is a main factor, enthusiasm and perseverance provide specific solutions. With that, it is of great concern to follow alternatives. In-service training courses, seminars and conferences are better served as means for getting hold of those doses and not offering science lessons. In addition, teachers should have an easy but realistic teaching approach that provides ways to improve teaching and learning in the classroom, and professional development as well. Otherwise there is no place for a teacher’s heart to be afraid of doing novel stuff, so one must indulge.
Training helps to build a teacher who becomes the education ambassador itself. In exchange, it’s the duty of teachers to provide quality education. Although no one can understand the relevance of science and education to human life, its proposals could offer solutions to the obstacles to creating an empowered country. ###
