BARMM, Philippines – Twenty-eight schools in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi that received Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosks (STARBOOKS), a digital library and Science Laboratory Apparatuses from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) participated in a two-day project assessment and evaluation conducted from November 10 to 21, 2024. The activity aimed to monitor the implementation and utilization of these resources in selected schools.

The MOST’s Science Education Section facilitated this evaluation in the mentioned provinces within the Bangsamoro region.

The following 28 schools were included in the evaluation:

  1. Claret School of Lamitan – Basilan Province
  2. Hardam Furigay College Foundation, Inc. – Basilan Province
  3. Atong-atong National High School – Basilan Province
  4. Concepcion National High School – Basilan Province
  5. Sumisip National High School – Basilan Province
  6. Claret School of Tumahubong – Basilan Province
  7. Tumahubong National High School – Basilan Province
  8. Sinangkapan National High School – Basilan Province
  9. Villa Asuncion National High School – Basilan Province
  10. Damaso National High School – Basilan Province
  11. Boloboc Science and Technology High School – Tawi-Tawi Province
  12. Pagasinan National High School – Tawi-Tawi Province
  13. MSU–TCTO Science High School – Tawi-Tawi Province
  14. Tawi-Tawi School of Arts and Trade – Tawi-Tawi Province
  15. Notre Dame of Bongao – Tawi-Tawi Province
  16. Mahardika Institute of Technology, Inc. – Tawi-Tawi Province
  17. Hadji Omarsani Tambut National High School – Tawi-Tawi Province
  18. Ummat National High School – Tawi-Tawi Province
  19. Pumbaya National High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  20. Our Lady of Peace High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  21. Datu Calaca Memorial National High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  22. MSU–Integrated Laboratory School – Lanao del Sur Province
  23. Poona Bayabao National High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  24. Adiong Memorial National High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  25. Masiu Science and Technology High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  26. Sitty Amanie Mohammad Kiram National High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  27. Ambor Memorial National High School – Lanao del Sur Province
  28. MSU–Saguiaran Community High School – Lanao del Sur Province

The evaluation highlighted positive outcomes, with most schools effectively utilizing the laboratory equipment provided by MOST. Teachers and school staff reported that resources such as cell development models and human body system models significantly enhanced students’ interest in science, offering them interactive, real-world learning experiences.

While STARBOOKS units were generally well-received, three schools had yet to activate their units due to delays in receiving the devices and a need for additional training for designated Super-Users.

Schools that successfully launched STARBOOKS reported high levels of student enthusiasm, with some students already integrating its applications into classroom activities.

A notable best practice observed during the monitoring was the use of logbooks in laboratory storage areas to track borrowed equipment. This ensured transparency and confirmed active utilization of the provided resources.

All beneficiary schools expressed gratitude to MOST for prioritizing their inclusion and shared their hope for continued support to advance science education across the Bangsamoro region.

#MOSTUpdates2024

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