Students in remote areas face many barriers. They often struggle with college entrance exams. Science tests are especially hard for them.
Many students enter senior high school with learning gaps. These gaps happen for a simple reason. Teachers lack sustained and focused professional development.
Teachers sometimes struggle with core scientific concepts. This struggle makes classroom teaching very difficult. Students miss out on strong problem-solving skills.
The University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science stepped in. They built a strong partnership. The partners include the University of the Philippines and the Province of Basilan. The Schools Division Offices of Basilan and Lamitan also joined.
They launched a new training program. The project is called RISE-BASILAN. The full name is Project RISE: Reinforcing Instruction in Mathematics and Science Education in Basilan.
The workshop ran from July 20 to 24, 2026. The event took place in Lamitan City, Basilan.
The workshop gathered many local educators. Exactly 64 teachers attended the event. The group included 32 Mathematics teachers. Another 32 Science teachers joined the sessions.
The program has a clear goal. It aims to strengthen teacher competencies. It focuses on senior high school math and science educators in Basilan.
The project delivers up-to-date content to teachers. It shares effective pedagogical approaches. It also provides hands-on learning experiences. These tools will improve regional education outcomes.
Project leaders want to sustain past efforts. Dr. Jillian Aira Gabo-Ratio leads the project. She noted the history of the program.
“RISE-BASILAN builds on an earlier initiative by the College of Science conducted in Tawi-Tawi in 2018,” Dr. Gabo-Ratio noted.
“The project seeks to continue that initiative and sustain UPD-CS’s commitment to supporting Mathematics and Science education in underserved areas,” she added.
The training program focuses on key academic areas. Teachers studied advanced math and earth science. They also reviewed physics, chemistry, and biology.
UPD-CS faculty members led the workshops. The sessions emphasized deep conceptual understanding. They also taught advanced problem-solving strategies for pre-college science topics.
Physical tools are vital for effective teaching. Organizers brought many learning materials to the site.
“The Institute of Chemistry donated molecular model kits through fundraising efforts among faculty and alumni,” Dr. Gabo-Ratio said.
More donations arrived from various groups. The National Institute of Geological Sciences provided rock and mineral kits. The local Basilan government purchased some of these kits. Making.technology manufacturing donated the rest.
Physics teachers received specialized equipment. Former Dean Giovanni Tapang and making.technology manufacturing helped the cause. They donated VISSER kits to the Basilan Schools Division. VISSER stands for Versatile Instrumentation System for Science Education and Research.
Teachers used these advanced kits during the workshop. The tools helped demonstrate complex science concepts much more efficiently.
The project highlights a vital academic mission. Universities must build strong teacher capacities. Academic institutions must also promote local training replication. These steps expand academic opportunities for remote students.
Local leaders expressed strong support for the initiative. Dr. Myra Borja Mangkabung spoke at the opening program. She serves as the Schools Division Superintendent of Basilan. She underscored the great importance of investing in teachers.
“RISE-BASILAN is more than a training program—it is our collective commitment to raising the quality of Mathematics and Science education in Basilan,” Dr. Mangkabung said during the opening program.
She shared her vision for the regional learners.
“By empowering our teachers with innovative strategies and strengthening our partnerships with the University of the Philippines, the Provincial Government, and other stakeholders, we are investing in the future of every Basilan learner,” she added.
She ended with a hopeful message for the community.
“Together, we are building a generation of critical thinkers, innovators, and future leaders,” she said.