BALER, Aurora (PIA) -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the municipal government of Casiguran to upgrade the science and technology education in indigenous people (IP) communities.

Under the MOA, DOST will provide P425,600 worth of audio visual equipment under its Grants-in-Aid (GIA) Program to the Sentrong Paaralan ng mga Agta in barangay Cozo and San Ildefonso.

DOST Aurora Science Research Specialist Arian Espiritu said GIA aims to help science teachers upgrade their teaching method.

"It seeks to arouse the interest of Agta students on science and education which hopefully would lead to them pursuing higher education in that field,” she explained.

The GIA equipment includes a 40-inch full high definition LED TV, router, and an all-in-one microserver desktop with software and a learning management system, multi-audiovisual and interactive material, and simulation tools for math and sciences.

A total of 64 projects in Aurora have been funded under the GIA Program since 2010. About 21 of these projects are still in the process of being implemented while around 43 have already been finished. (CLJD/MAT-PIA 3)