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Sunday, November 17, 2024 Vol. 20 No. 39
P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 12 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK
CLIMATE CRISIS SPURS TECH USE FOR FARMS B
By Estrella Torres
OLOGNA, Italy—Citing the “multiple and worrying” effects of climate change in agricultural systems around the globe, agricultural technology experts gathered at the 46th annual EIMA International Exhibition raised the need to step up strategies for adaptation, including the use of machinery and innovative techniques.
“Agriculture is the first victim of climate change, since agricultural activities take place outdoors and must adapt to the extreme weather events that have now become quite usual,” said Prof. Luigi Sartori, who teaches Agricultural Mechanization at the University of Padua, in a forum held at the sidelines of the 46th annual EIMA International Exhibition. Citing a clear example, he said intense rains wash away fertile
areas and cause soil erosion and degradation. Also, the release of carbon dioxide from the soil during the mineralization processes of organic matter further contributes to the worsening of the climate crisis, he said. Sartori said both conservative and precision agriculture techniques need to be applied to preserve the structure and fertility of the soil, as well as the use of maContinued on A2
INNOVATION MEETS RESILIENCE At the 46th annual EIMA International Exhibition in Bologna, Italy, agricultural experts highlighted how cutting-edge farm equipment, from AI-powered drones to precision tractors, is transforming agriculture to combat climate change. Over 60,000 models showcased solutions for sustainable farming, addressing soil erosion, water optimization, and food security. PHOTOS BY ESTRELLA TORRES
STEM gaps widen as classroom learning lags behind careers By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
A
DISCONNECT between classroom education and industry demands remains a key challenge in the Philippines’ science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education sector. Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara recently cited concerns about graduates’ preparedness for the workforce despite what he said of DepEd’s decade-long promotion of STEM education. “What we’re hearing from [industries] is that a lot of our graduates don’t have both the hard and
the soft skills,” he explained at the Swiss Embassy’s second “Day of the Future” event. “The hard, meaning the science, the technology, the math, the basic foundational skills, but also the soft skills in terms of the attitudes for work, the positivity, and the willingness to sacrifice and work under pressure. Some of these things have been identified as weak spots,” he added. Recent results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed that the Philippines has experienced an increase in mathematics anxiety since 2012. This means that Filipino students not only worry about
“A lot of our graduates don’t have both the hard and the soft skills. The hard, meaning the science, the technology, the math, the basic foundational skills, but also the soft skills in terms of the attitudes for work, the positivity, and the willingness to sacrifice and work under pressure.”—DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara
their grades and failing math but also feel anxious about tackling math problems in general. To address this, Angara plans to reform the DepEd’s assessment methods and is aligning with the standards of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with science examinations scheduled for March next year. He also pointed out that the newly introduced Matatag curriculum aims to strengthen basic competencies from kindergarten to Grade 10, with a further senior high school curriculum update set for school year 2025-2026 to better align with workforce needs.
“We also want to expand that STEM to STEAM, Arts and Design as well, especially in the age of Artificial Intelligence, as mentioned earlier,” he said. In terms of job opportunities, the education chief noted a growing demand for skilled professionals, yet industries face a shortage of qualified graduates. For instance, “Each company, each organization needs a cybersecurity professional, but there are no cybersecurity graduates or trainees. So these are opportunities for Tesda, universities, colleges, and even for our senior high schools that we have to take,” he said.
Citing also the effect of insufficient career information on the mismatch, he advocated for better career guidance to inform students about industry demands and job opportunities. “I think if our students only knew the possibilities for the different companies here, there could be a synergistic relationship between [DepEd] and the various companies,” he said. But the responsibility does not rest solely on these institutions; Angara acknowledged that the government must also improve its role in coordinating efforts across various industries and agencies. Continued on A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 58.8140 n JAPAN 0.3764 n UK 74.4997 n HK 7.5585 n CHINA 8.1371 n SINGAPORE 43.7019 n AUSTRALIA 37.9468 n EU 61.9370 n KOREA 0.0419 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.6691 Source: BSP (November 15, 2024)