DOST awards innovative practices in managing large classes

MANILA, Philippines - The Surigao City National High School and the Tabaco City National High School bagged the top awards in the Department of Science and Technology’s 2nd Search for Innovative Practices in Managing Large Classes (SIPMLC).

The Surigao City National High School was awarded for their “Beating the Numbers Through Strategic Intervention Materials (SIM): Innovative Science Teaching in Large Classes” project which developed SIM, or teaching aids, designed to stimulate the learning activities of the students.

The Tabaco City National High School, on the other hand, was recognized for their “Effectiveness of Chem-Connect Project in Managing Large Classes in Chemistry” program that aims to instill  a deeper understanding of Chemistry through various video clips on chemistry and practical work approaches.

Officials of the two schools were formally given their awards at the 2nd SIPMLC Awards held at the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP-NISMED), University of the Philippines-Diliman. 

SIPMLC is a nationwide search for innovative practices in effectively teaching and learning science and math in large and extra large classes.   

Managing large classes has been a major concern not only for teachers but also for the government as students’ proficiency in math, science, and English have greatly deteriorated in the past due to the congestions in classrooms.

This problem has resulted in a drop in the students’ academic performance and the absorptive capacity of complex concepts especially in science and math.

The search is open to public and private high schools with large classes with 51 to 70 students, and extra large classes with 71 and more students.   

According to DOST-Science Education Institute, the award hopes to inspire and reward teachers from the public and private high schools to innovate and create impact in teaching science and math in spite of large number of students all crammed up in one classroom. 

The search also intends for other schools to  adopt the strategies implemented by awardees.

Entries for the SIPMLC are submitted in a form of a project proposal that identifies the problems encountered in handling large classes.