AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (S&T) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND STRENGTHENING THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Case Overview and Summary

Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013

Declaration of Policy (Section 2):
- Promote development of science and technology manpower for economic progress.
- Provide quality science and mathematics teachers at secondary level.
- Provide scholarships and incentives for science students to become teachers.

General Objectives (Section 3):
- Strengthen science and technology education by fast-tracking science, mathematics, and engineering graduates to teach in secondary schools.
- Provide scholarships to third-year college students in science and technology courses.
- Offer incentives for scholarship recipients to pursue teaching careers.

Undergraduate Scholarship Criteria:
- Eligibility (Section 5):
  - Filipino citizen
  - Third-year college student
  - Enrolled in state universities/colleges or CHED-compliant private universities
  - GWA of 83% or better in first and second year
  - Qualify in Junior-Level Science Scholarship Examination
- Award Amounts (Section 6): Full financial assistance package for approved undergraduate programs.
- Duration (Section 7): Last two years for four-year courses, last three years for five-year courses.
- Approved Courses (Section 8): Science, technology, and engineering courses identified by DOST.
- Terms and Conditions (Section 9):
  - Execute service contract to teach as return of service (ROS).
  - Agree to approved ROS conditions.
  - Agree to repay amounts disbursed plus interest if terms are not met.

Return of Service Conditions and Incentives:
- ROS Conditions (Section 10): Teach full-time high school subjects in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Information Technology, Agricultural/Aquaculture/Fisheries Technology for minimum two years.
- Incentives (Section 11):
  - Starting salary grade equivalent to Special Science Teacher I in Philippine Science High School System.
  - Priority job placement in chosen high school, with priority in home province.
  - One-time relocation allowance if assigned outside permanent residence.
  - Scholarships in teacher education institutes for Science Education courses.
  - Pass Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) within five years of hiring.
- Teacher Training (Section 12): Philippine Normal University and CHED-compliant teacher education programs to provide training, with 1,000 scholarships available annually.

Options for Other STEM Graduates (Section 13):
- Eligibility:
  - Filipino citizen
  - STEM degree graduate with GWA of 83% or better
  - At least 40 years old at time of application
  - No conflicting service obligation
- Entitled to teacher training programs to prepare for full-time high school teaching in home region.

Implementing Agencies:
- Science Education Institute (SEI) of DOST (Section 14): Main implementing agency for evaluation, award-giving, and monitoring of scholarships.
- Department of Education (DepED) (Section 15): Ensure job placement and hiring of qualified graduates as secondary school teachers at Special Science Teacher salary grade levels.

Miscellaneous Provisions:
- Review and Monitoring (Section 16): DepED, CHED, and DOST to report to President and Congress after three years and annually thereafter on implementation and recommendations.
- Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 17): DOST and DepED to promulgate rules and regulations within 60 days of approval.
- Appropriations (Section 18): Charged against current year's appropriations of SEI under DOST, and included in annual General Appropriations Act. SEI authorized to accept grants and donations.
- Separability Clause (Section 19)
- Repealing Clause (Section 20)
- Effectivity Clause (Section 21): Effective 15 days after publication in Official Gazette and two national newspapers.