Human Capital Foundations for the Building of Science and Math Disciplines

This paper describes the status of developing human capital foundations for the building of science and math disciplines in the Philippines. At the moment, the country lacks the strategies to establish the roots of the science and math disciplines. This paper discusses the need to build a stream of talent to form strong healthy roots and build a culture of science and mathematics, by strengthening the fundamentals for science and math at the grade school and high school levels. A healthy foundation could help in developing and retaining more PhD holders who will teach and conduct researches in the country and train more students to undertake advanced degrees. The paper also cites good practices and examples currently done to improve science and math education. Internal factors such as developing interest in the young, providing incentives especially for high school math and science teachers, and establishing a critical mass of professionals; and external factors such as government support and cultivating a culture of math and science excellence, can improve the human capital for science and math education in the country.

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