QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10612)
It is known as the “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013.”
The State prioritizes research and development, invention, innovation, their utilization, and science and technology education, training, and services—particularly to develop S&T manpower and provide quality science and mathematics teachers at the secondary level.
To strengthen S&T education by fast-tracking science, mathematics, and engineering graduates who will teach science and mathematics in secondary schools, through scholarships to third-year undergraduates and incentives to pursue teaching careers.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens; regular third-year college students at the time of award; currently enrolled in identified priority S&T courses in CHED-compliant programs (preferably state universities/colleges); have a GWA of at least 83% during the first and second years; and qualify in the Junior-Level Science Scholarship Examination.
Recipients are entitled to an annual award equal to the complete financial assistance package under R.A. 7687, for approved undergraduate programs at quality schools (CHED-compliant programs and DOST Network Institutions), with minimum slots in private schools to offset tuition cost differences.
It covers the last two (2) years of undergraduate study, or the last three (3) years for five-year courses such as engineering.
Degrees in science, technology and engineering as identified and approved by DOST as priority S&T courses; applicants already enrolled in such CHED-compliant priority courses are given priority.
They must execute a service contract: agree to teach as return of service (ROS); agree to approved ROS conditions; and agree to repay disbursed amounts plus interest if they fail to comply—resulting in full repayment (plus penalties if applicable) within a specified time.
Award recipients must teach full-time high school subjects in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics; or Information Technology or Agricultural/Aquaculture/Fisheries Technology, in both the university and technical-vocational tracks in the secondary curriculum, for at least two (2) years, in a public or private high school.
They receive: (1) a starting salary grade equivalent to Special Science Teacher I in the Philippine Science High School System; (2) priority job placement nationwide, with first priority in their home province; (3) one-time relocation allowance if assigned outside permanent residence; (4) scholarships in identified teacher education institutes for Science Education courses; and (5) passing the LET within five (5) years of hiring.
They may opt to teach full-time the courses identified in Section 10 for at least two (2) years in a public or private high school in their home region.
The Philippine Normal University (PNU) and its network of normal schools, along with CHED-compliant teacher education programs and recognized teacher training centers, are tasked to provide training. One thousand (1,000) scholarships are made available every year to hired teachers.
They must be Filipino citizens; graduates with a science/technology/engineering/mathematics degree and GWA of at least 83% from a reputable university; at least 40 years old at time of application; and not have a conflicting service obligation with DOST-SEI obligations.
DOST-SEI is the main implementing agency, responsible for evaluation, award-giving, and monitoring of scholarship grants/awardees, and for coordinating with other agencies to fulfill the law’s goals.
DepED ensures job placement and hiring of qualified graduates as secondary school teachers in science, mathematics and related technology courses, ensures hiring at the specified Special Science Teacher salary grade levels, and evaluates and monitors hired teachers under the program.
They must report to the President and Congress after the first three (3) years, and annually thereafter.
The DOST and DepED must promulgate the IRR within sixty (60) days from the approval of the Act.
The necessary amount for implementation is charged against the current year’s appropriations of SEI under DOST; thereafter, additional sums may be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, and SEI may accept grants/donations.
The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette and in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.