Are you a DOST JLSS scholar-graduate or an ongoing scholar under this program? Or are you an applicant for the forthcoming DOST JLSS scholarship exam? If you belong to these people, then this blog is most especially for you!
First let’s explain what DOST JLSS mean. 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.
Where are the first and second batches of DOST JLSS scholars now?
The first batch of JLSS recipients are teaching now in different public secondary schools nationwide. Meanwhile, some of the second batch of JLSS scholars 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 soon be hired as soon as the Division Offices find them their designated schools.
Aside from these things, what should a DOST JLSS scholar needs to know?
First, there have been some changes in the program. The pioneer and second batches only had one category, that is, R.A. 10612.
But the third batch, or the ones who will take the DOST JLSS exam on November 19, 2017, has three categories to choose from.
Applicants can choose among RA 10612, RA 7687 and Merit categories. Students who are taking pure Science, Math and other DOST approved pure courses, should choose R.A. 10612. On the other hand, students taking Science, Math and other relevant DOST courses with education or teaching curricular programs, should choose R.A. 7687. Then students whose parents have high income should choose the Merit program.
For the two or three years’ duration of your JLSS scholarship, you will enjoy having financial benefits.
You’ll enjoy the monthly allowance and book allowance given twice within the school year. Aside from these, you’ll be provided tuition and other fees not exceeding P8,000 if under the trimester scheme. Or P10,000 maximum amount of tuition fees if under the semestral curricular programs.
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.
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 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 DepEd when you’ll have the Certificate in Teaching Program (CTP) before going to PNU.
As of this writing, the JLSS graduates are rendering service first. DepEd will inform you when you’ll have your CTP. Anyway, visit the website of PNU if you have time and search the requirements. Search as well the step-by-step procedures for enrolment. This way, you’ll know in advance the steps to be taken when you’ll already enroll for CTP. You may also inquire at the PNU Admissions Office for more details.
The DepEd 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.
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-teacher you’re meant to be.
