To heighten quality science education system in the Bangsamoro homeland, an act establishing the Bangsamoro Science High School system was on its systematic implementation of activity series to establish the Bangsamoro Science Highschool.

The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Science and Technology (COST), chaired by Member of the Parliament Suharto Esmael, MSc, convened a public hearing on June 1, 2023, at Seda Hotel, Vertis North, to present and discuss Bill No. 37 that aims to establish a Bangsamoro Science High School (BSHS) in the BARMM Region.

Experts from the Philippine Science and Highschool and the Department of Science and Technology – Central Office were invited to capture their insights on the establishment of BSHS in BARMM, namely Dr. Lawrence Madriaga, Director of PSHS-Main Campus; Rowena Cristina Guevara, PhD, former Undersecretary of DOST; and Chuchi Garganera, Regional Director of PSHS-Zamboanga Peninsula, and other officials. They have strongly supported the act establishing the BSHS in the Bangsamoro region.

During the public hearing, deliberation of different concerns was discussed, such as drafting of a comprehensive curriculum, the structural composition of the building, the provision of proper facilities and equipment for laboratories, the identification of a suitable location, the hiring and capacity-building of directors and teachers, provision of financial assistance for the students, and collaboration between DOST and MOST.

MP Suharto said students are experiencing difficulties obtaining S & T careers due to insufficient science education systems in the region. He also explained that the Bangsamoro Government would address this concern by establishing science highschool and providing quality S & T education.

On the first day’s closing remarks, MOST Minister Engr. Aida Silongan, Member of the Parliament and COST, ensured that all insights and suggestions would be considered to promptly push the establishment of BSHS towards an inclusive science education system in the Bangsamoro region. She also added that the BSHS would be at parity with other science high schools to ensure competitive and quality education. On the other hand, MOST’s objective of producing S & T human resources will heighten, and this future workforce will contribute positively to the region’s economic growth.

On June 2, 2023, the COST members benchmarked and toured the Philippine Science High School – Main Campus in Quezon City. The sites visited were laboratories, libraries, the Department of Natural Sciences, the faculty office and faculty lounge, the Guidance Counselor Office, and others. It aimed to see the PSHS main campus structure, design, offices, and adopt best practices for establishing BSHS.

Furthermore, after deliberation and finalization of reports, MP Suharto shared that COST will advance discussing the budget and other financial matters to establish BSHS.

Bangsamoro Parliament’s COST and MOST were united in hastening everything that would partake in the development and establishment of Bangsamoro Science Highschool towards an inclusive, holistic, and quality science education system in the region.

Photo credits: Office of MP Engr. Aida Silongan

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