LOS BAÑOS, Laguna –– The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Region 4-A will orient Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) Program qualifiers from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) at the Splash Mountain Resort here on March 17.
The orientation is for qualifiers under RA 10612 (Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013) which aims to strengthen the country’s S&T by fast-tracking graduates in sciences, mathematics and engineering where each scholar is required to teach science and mathematics in secondary schools of his or her choice for a minimum period of 2 years.
The new scholars’ orientation will discuss the scholarship provisions in detail, terms and conditions stipulated in the contract, including their duties, responsibilities and privileges as scholars.
A Department of Education (DepEd) resource speaker has been invited to present the “teaching” requirements as part of the scholarship obligation.
According to DOST Calabarzon Assistant Regional Director Dr. Lydia S. Manguiat, who heads the Scholarship Program and lead coordinator, the orientation schedule would ensure that the scholars are well versed with the provisions of the contract before they sign.
The DOST JLSS program is given to third year college students taking Science & Technology (S&T) courses in government-run and private educational institutions.
The scholarship grants are divided into three categories, Republic Act (RA) 10612, RA 7687 and Merit.
Twenty-four Cavite qualifiers under RA 7687 and merit had their orientation and contract signing at Cavite State University (CvSU) Indang campus on March 6.
RA 7687 provides scholarship to poor, talented and deserving students who belong to families whose socio-economic status do not exceed the set values of certain indicators.
DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) Merit scholarships are awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics and are willing to pursue careers in the fields of science and technology.
DOST assistance includes study placement in SUC and CHED Identified Centers of Excellence (COE) or Centers of Development (COD) for the priority S&T courses and are required to render service in the country, along his/her field of specialization on a full time basis for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time he/she enjoyed the scholarship.
Scholars’ privileges include payment of tuition and other fees (PHP 10,000/semester or PHP 8,000/trimester), book allowance of PHP10,000/year, premium insurance and one economy class round-trip airfare for those studying outside of home province.
For the Monthly Living Allowance, those taking BS Physics/Applied Physics/Physics teaching/Geology/Mining Engineering/Agriculture/ Fisheries are given a monthly stipend of PHP6,000 for scholarships under RAs 10612 and 7687, while the Merit category is divided into full/PHP6,000, partial/PHP4,150 and partial/PHP3,825. (Gladys Pino/PNA)
