Are you a DOST JLSS scholar-graduate, an ongoing JLSS scholar, or a newly-qualified student under this program? If you belong to these people, then this blog is most especially for you!
First let’s explain what DOST JLSS means. This is in consideration of young people who just might get interested to apply for it when they’re already qualified to do so.
JLSS stands for Junior Level Science Scholarships.
It is a scholarship program of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) for third year or junior college students. These are those who are taking courses that are included in the DOST-SEI list of fields of study, They should also be enrolled in state universities and colleges approved by the said agency.
How can students qualify for the JLSS-RA 10612 Scholarship?
JLSS-R.A. 10612 is geared towards providing opportunities to third year students taking up Pure Science, Mathematics and Engineering courses, to teach in secondary schools nationwide.
Junior students must be natural-born Filipino citizens, have a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 83% or its equivalent, must have good moral character and must be in good health. And of course, students must pass the JLSS examination conducted by DOST-SEI.
What about students who wish to qualify for the JLSS-RA 7687 Scholarship?
Students who qualify for this scholarship are those in their junior level in college who may be poor yet are deserving of the scholarship. The courses they are taking up must be approved by DOST-SEI for the program. Just like with R.A. 10612 Scholarship, qualifiers for this program are natural-born Filipinos, and belong to families with low-income bracket. They must have a GWA of at least 83% or its equivalent. Junior college students must also be certified residents of their municipality for at least four years, have good moral character and in good health. They should of course likewise pass the JLSS Exam of DOST-SEI.
Then there’s the JLSS-Merit Scholarship. What is it all about?
The JLSS-Merit Scholarship is for junior college students with high aptitude in Science and Mathematics. Qualifiers under this program usually belong to families with high-income bracket and must pay a certain amount of scholarship exam fee.
Just like with RA 10612 and RA 7687 under the JLSS Scholarships, qualifiers for this program are natural-born Filipinos, have a GWA of at least 83% or its equivalent, with good moral character and in good health. They should also be passers of the DOST-SEI JLSS Exam.
Where are the previous batches of DOST JLSS scholars now?
The first and second batches of JLSS recipients are teaching now in different public secondary schools nationwide. Meanwhile, some of the JLSS scholars from the third batch have already been provided school assignments. However, some are still waiting for a call from the Division Offices of the Department of Education (DepEd) nearest their places of residence. They will be hired as soon as the Division Offices find them their designated schools.
For the two or three years’ duration of your JLSS scholarship, you will enjoy having financial benefits.
You’ll enjoy the monthly stipend amounting to P7,000.00, and book allowance of P10,000.00 given in two partial installments within the school year. Aside from these, you’ll be provided tuition and other fees if you’re enrolled in a private institution. DOST-SEI will provide your tuition and other fees which are not more than P40,000.00 per academic year. On the other hand, your tuition fees are now free if you’re enrolled in state universities.
If you have Summer classes based on your curricular programs, you will also receive financial privileges.
You’ll be provided with a monthly stipend of P7,000.00 for two months. If you’re in a private school, DOST-SEI will shoulder your tuition fees up to P1,500.00. Also, you must submit official receipts for the books you’d buy for your Summer classes so that you will be provided with your P500.00 worth of book allowance.
You will likewise be provided with post-graduation clothing allowance worth P1,000.00.
What’s in store for a DOST JLSS teacher?
You’ll be given a salary which is equivalent to that of a Special Science Teacher 1 in the Philippine Science High School System. That means your salary grade will be equivalent to Teacher 3 position already when you start your teaching career in public schools.
After your graduation, you will be endorsed by DOST to the DepEd Main Office. Then you will be endorsed by the latter to the corresponding Division Offices for school assignments.
The first thing to do after your graduation is to visit your DOST Regional Office. Kindly ask the employees if you have already been endorsed to DepEd for an available teaching position. If they have already done so, request that you be given a contact number or email address of the DepEd official where you may ask your teaching post status. DepEd will update you if you already have an item and if you’ve been endorsed to the Division Office. You just need to go to the Division Office from time to time to know the requirements you need to submit, and where or when you’re going to teach.
You can choose between public and private secondary schools. Just inform DOST-SEI if you choose to teach in a private school so that you won’t be included in the list for public school assignments.
What about your training at the Philippine Normal University (PNU)?
Check with DOST or DepEd when you’ll have the Certificate in Teaching Program (CTP) before going to PNU.
Scholar-graduates of JLSS have already been contacted for their training at PNU. So rest assured that you will also be contacted soon for the training. It may happen while you’re already teaching in public or private schools.
The DepEd, in coordination with DOST, will provide for your tuition and other fees for your CTP.
Make a request to DepEd for your endorsement to PNU when you’re already given the go signal to have your CTP.
What if you want to study first before rendering service as a teacher?
Well, you have to make a formal request to DOST-SEI and start enrolling for a Master’s Degree, only upon its approval. But then again, you should know that you are really required to serve first. This means you either wait for DepEd’s call or email about your school assignment or endorsement to the Division Office, or you may opt to serve by teaching in a private school. If this is the case, you must inform DOST-SEI about your decision to give up your item in public school.
As a DOST JLSS scholar, it is important to know the law that was created for your scholarship program.
DOST-SEI is one of the most prestigious institutions that offer scholarships. Yet don’t just know the benefits of being a recipient. You should also know your responsibilities. The law will guide you, aside from the scholarship policies. These will help you be the responsible and smart scholar-teachers you’re meant to be.
