DOST to unveil list of successful online training applicants in November

By Alex Villafania INQUIRER.net THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute will reveal in November the 450 successful applicants in the online mathematics and science teacher training program. In an interview, DOST-SEI Director Ester Ogena said they received a little over 500 applications to the training program, which was more than what they expected since they only introduced the program two years ago. Under the program, public elementary teachers in mathematics and science would be provided with additional information and techniques in teaching the two subjects to students. One unique feature of this training is that it will be delivered online, theoretically reducing the hassles teachers face in attending a classroom-type environment. “The teachers may come from different parts of the country but they will be able to see each other through the Internet wherever they may be,” Ogena said. This program is a first in the Philippines and is an attempt by the DOST-SEI to improve the teaching capabilities of public school faculty. To help teachers through the training, the DOST-SEI will waive the P6,000 training fee, as well as giving a monthly P500 allowance to buy Internet prepaid cards. Likewise, the teachers can purchase the computers that will be issued to them at half the price, at P7, 600. Ogena noted that they had technical problems with their website, www.e-training.ph but that this was resolved about a month ago. “We’ll make sure it runs smoothly from now on.”