Phil. Education: Mandatory Pre-School, 5 years in College

[CVT]

In a system that cannot even pay teacher's salaries on time, you expect the government to find ways to pay scientists and other similar high science degree holders a "decent/profitable" employment locally?

I doubt it.

Anyone on the street knows you can get paid five times or more for the same technical/science related job abroad as compared to local employment.

Being a person in the industry, I certainly am aware of it, bro. Our engineers have been "pirated" by countries like HK, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, Indonesia et al while being paid x-fold vs what their getting locally. For the same functions and expectations, it is perplexing how they can manage this. The only answer that we can think of is the "ease of doing business" in these countries vs. the Philippines.

For example, we have been banging at the doors of Malacanang to address the high cost of power as we are one of the highest in the region for years and this is our second most expensive expense after salaries and wages. They have not done anything significant about this.

It is indeed a huge challenge. I'd say it's a half-court shot at the moment. But only the government can help us here by giving both multinational and local industries an excellent environment for doing business.

8303:dishwash:

[jpdm]

Nebres said the development of a strong science and math education is vital to the development of a strong entrepreneurial class—just like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Germany. He pointed out that having a strong corps of scientist and engineers would lead to the emergence of a strong link to the entrepreneurs.

“There is a need for a connecting body just like in the Silicon Valley experience. We need to have a great blend of great engineers with excellent business knowledge. However, we have to [provide room] for failure because our society does not have an entrepreneurial culture,” said Nebres.


In enhancing math and science education in the country, Nebres said culture has an important role. He said the drive to excel must be inculcated in the minds of students so they can advance in the social ladder. In ancient China, Nebres said students are encouraged to excel in their studies so they can be successful in their adult lives.



“Their elders motivate the students to study because they can live someday in the emperor’s palace and perhaps marry a beautiful lady,” the scientist-educator said.


Access is also important to uplift mathematics and science education from its current abysmal stage. Nebres said the search for bright students must include all sectors because there is a lot of potential even among the poorest of the poor.


After giving access to all classes, Nebres said it is important to nurture the students to develop their potential. The dropout rate worsens the problem, as potential bright students are lost.


On the professional side, Nebres said the absence of a career track for engineers resulted in the nondevelopment of their own potential.
He said engineers working in the industry are encouraged to pursue an MBA, which is really not in their interest.



“Industries must create opportunities to nurture and reward people,” he said.


He said local government units have a key role because the town or city mayor has the power to put all the stakeholders together.



Business Mirror
Written by Rizal Raoul Reyes/Correspondence
July 21, 2009
Entreps Built Countries

Very true.