Enhancing the Science curriculum of the strengthened technical-vocational education program

Abstract

The Strengthened Technical Vocational Education program is a curriculum specifically ADDIE followed by secondary technical-vocational schools. Technical Vocational Education (TVE) as a subject contains many competencies that are science-based. Therefore, one of the ways of augmenting students' performance in their TVE subject is to help them improve their science competence. This study aimed at enhancing the science curriculum of the Strengthened Technical-Vocational Education Program of the secondary technical-vocational schools in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Kalibo, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. Respondents of this study were the fourth-year high school students of the secondary technical-vocational schools who are officially enrolled for the school year 2014-2015. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results showed that, in terms of their performance in the National Competency assessment, secondary arts and trades school and secondary fisheries school performed "Satisfactorily", while it was found out that for three consecutive school years, secondary technical-vocational schools had "No takers" of the National competency assessment. In addition, results showed that many science-based topics in the TVE subjects were only "Partially mastered" by students while few topics were "Moderately mastered". From the identified least mastered TVE competencies, science topics that were found suited to them were also identified. These science topics included: cell structure and function, human digestion, health and nutrition, spoilage of food, basic personal hygiene practices, electricity, conversion of units, plant classification and morphology, and animal classification and morphology. From these science topics, a science resource material was developed. The science resource materials developed were in the form of science modules that were developed using the ADDIE instructional design model. Students and teachers of the secondary technical-vocational schools evaluated the modules that were developed. Teacher-evaluators stated that the modules contain activities which are suited to the reading and understanding level of students. Moreover, students reflected that working on the activities found in the modules gave them a chance to express their ideas in science and gave them an opportunity to work with their classmates.