Aquino approves law for science, math teachers

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into law a bill aimed at expanding the coverage of the Science and Technology (S&T) Scholarship Program and building a pool of highly qualified science and math teachers in the country, Malacañang said today.

"This Act builds on the current Science and Technology Scholarships offered by the Department of Science and Technology ( DOST), through its Science Education Institute (SEI), as provided for in Republic Act No. 7687, otherwise known as the 'Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994,'" the president said.

The law envisions a fast tracking of more science, technology, and engineering graduates by offering scholarships to deserving students in their third year of undergraduate study, based on their competitiveness and merit.

The state also offers additional incentives to attract the graduates of the scholarship program to pursue a career in teaching science, mathematics and technology in high schools, especially in their home regions.