High school teachers embark on research methodology training sponsored by Japan

By Rossea H. Ledesma

To enhance the capacity of local high school science teachers, a training on research methodology and technical writing was organized with funding support from the Government of Japan.

Twenty-two high school science teachers attended the training facilitated by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Iloilo, held from 28 to 30 January 2020 in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

“This training course aims to enhance the teacher’s capacity to write simple and doable research proposals by providing them with knowledge and skills,” said Dr. Koh-ichiro Mori, Japan Trust Fund manager and SEAFDEC/AQD’s deputy chief.

During the 3-day training, the teachers listened to lectures and did practical activities on research and development process, experimental design, data and statistical analysis, scientific literature and patent searches, writing research proposals, and technical writing for publication in scientific journals. Moreover, as their final output for the training, the teachers made research proposals by group and were critiqued by the training’s resource persons.

“Truly, this training has met its purpose to help its participants in the field of research to uphold quality education and make our loads lighter especially in checking the manuscript of our learners and finding references for different studies,” said Ana Lagaña, a participant from Lemery National High School.

At the closing ceremony of the training on Jan. 30, 2020 held in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Dr. Lilibeth Estoque, DepEd Schools Division assistant superintendent, reminded the teacher-participants to make the best out of the learnings they gained since no amount of training or seminar-workshops can make better researchers unless it is put into actual teaching and practice.

Moreover, in the same event, Dan Baliao, chief of SEAFDEC/AQD, also told the teachers to enhance the capability of their schools through their teaching and SEAFDEC/AQD will be at the threshold of helping them. The Chief also thanked the Japanese government, represented by Dr. Mori, for the support in the activity.

This training course for teachers is the second offering of SEAFDEC/AQD with the first one conducted last year. This year’s participants came from public high schools in Iloilo, namely: Barotac Viejo National High School, Batad National High School, Don Casimero Andrada National High School, Estancia National High School, Guimbal National High School, Igbaras National High School, Lemery National High School, Nicomedes R. Tubar Sr. National High School, Miagao National High School, Oton National High School, Roberto H. Tirol High School, San Joaquin School of Fisheries, San Rafael National High School, Sara National High School, Tigbauan National High School, and Tubungan National High School.