No abstract

One of the most common problems in the education system in northern Iloilo is students are escaping from classes to smoke with friends and classmates. This act resulted to slow performances in all subject areas. This research aims to find out the influence of anti-smoking campaigns such as symposiums, posters, lectures and video clips to the Junior High School students in northern Iloilo, Philippines. All the students were classified into three categories; non-smokers, second-hand smokers, and smokers. Two from each category were purposively selected. Interview and observation were utilized. The study revealed that non-smokers assured that they will not get involved in this kind of vices, second-hand smokers vowed to encourage their parents, relatives, friends, and classmates to stop cigarette smoking, and smokers to stop smoking because of the results to our organ systems. Health is very important to all the informants. Also, many of these participants belong to below-average learners. In this study, anti-smoking campaigns are effective methods to discourage students to smoke. No e-cigarettes smokers in the group because of its values. Parents and guardians play a vital role in the implementation of this advocacy. Also, the local government units should regulate the implementation of policies and ordinances regarding the smoking of minors. Thus, anti-smoking campaigns and messages could be excellent avenues to educate students about ordinances and laws, and the effects of smoking on our health.

This research aims to utilize local biodiversity specifically Sampunong Bolo Wild Life Sanctuary in Municipality of Sara, Iloilo, Philippines as teaching materials in K12 Basic Education Program Science Curriculum. The methods used were interview, photo and video elicitation, and document analysis. The highly diverse forest ecosystem in Sampunong Bolo Wild Life Sanctuary has a great potential as materials in teaching science in all grade levels according to science teachers in Northern Iloilo. They were very interested and willing to utilize local biodiversity in their places as teaching materials in science. They wanted to encourage Local Government Units (LGU) to help them create teaching materials like videos and pictures to be used in their teaching but they have a negative notion about accident happen in some educational trip in the past. All science teachers were able to create an activity title. They even identified in which part of the lesson these activities will be used. The results showed that local biodiversity can be integrated into teaching science. The use of localization and contextualization is an important approach to help learners enjoy science teaching and learning. Also, this study will educate not just students but also teachers that our local biodiversity is important and most of them are now dying. Teachers must take a move to protect and preserve our local resources.

This qualitative research focused on school experiences of 20 females and 14 males senior high school (SHS) students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC), the Philippines from Academic Year 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. This study aimed to identify both the positive and negative points on Senior High School (SHS)-Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) track in terms of curriculum, instructional materials, laboratory equipment, faculty educational qualification, research output and courses to be taken in NIPSC of SHS-STEM students. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of the informants. Interview, focus group discussion, and observation were employed in the study. The students' responses in the interview revealed teachers' qualifications and their passion for enhancing SHS-STEM curriculum. Besides, the availability of facilities was a strong point of NIPSC as a model school in implementing STEM curriculum in the district. However, lack of time management for teachers to hold classes, limited science textbooks and classroom, and unavailability of the laboratory for hands-on activities need proper attention by concern authorities. Around 46% of SHS-STEM graduates take civil engineering at NIPSC because of the well-trained teachers, and the high rating in board examination. Also, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) allowed non-STEM to enroll in science-related courses, and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) allowed them to apply for the scholarship program. However, the bridging program is a waste of time, effort, and money for both teachers and students. NIPSC as a model school in SHS-STEM track has to enhance facilities as well as the guidance office to correctly assist students in future endeavors and to take courses similar to their tracks and interests.

Department of Education (DepED) required teachers’ in particular master teachers both elementary and secondary in all subject areas to conduct action research to enhance the performance of students most especially below average learners. This study was conducted to measure how effective close mentoring approaches to assist DepED teachers in Science and Mathematics in doing action research. In addition, this is also to enhance knowledge of these teachers on how to perform action research with their own created innovations. The results revealed all the informant wanted to conduct action research. But because of other commitments, and duties, many of them cannot complete what they have started. There were very few teachers in every schools; therefore, time management is very important because almost all of them have additional functions such as coaches, club advisers, office staff and others. However, the findings of the study suggested that mentoring was effective methods to help science and mathematics teachers to do action research. One science teacher was able to present completed paper in a regional conference. All these teachers have already their own innovations but just need to test for effective implementation. Also, support from higher officials must be priorities to help their teachers who have interest in action research.