Astronomy is taught as a part of the general science subject in elementary schools where it is normally given a three-hour per week period in Grades V and VI classes in the Philippines. It is an elective subject, which is taken in one semester (four months) in the first year high school level.
Before 2002, there is no single university in the country that offers an astronomy course. In School Year (SY) 2002-2003, the University of the Philippines through its National Institute of Physics offered an astronomy subject entitled "Physics and Astronomy for Pedestrians" [3].
SY 2005-2006 marked a great change in the history of Philippine education in the field of astronomy. For the first time, the Rizal Technological University (RTU) offered a graduate program leading to a degree of Master of Science in Astronomy. The course, which is descriptive in nature, is designed for students with any B. S. degree, who are interested in astronomy.
The RTU has taken undisputed leadership in the field of Space Education in the country. Hence, on the first semester of SY 2007-2008, a 5-yr Bachelor of Science in Astronomy Technology will be offered in the said university. The course will introduce astronomy to younger people who will make science and technology their lifetime careers. The designed course is customized to be wide in scope where research and observation will be given priority, to push the frontiers in these fields at least in the Philippines for the meanwhile.
In PAGASA, the personnel of the AsRDS who are performing all the previously mentioned astronomical activities do not have a formal education in astronomy. The knowledge in astronomy that they possess is obtained through the infrequent in-service training courses conducted by the agency and through the books that were procured, usually from overseas sources.
The Chief of AsRDS, undertook a course on Astronomy and Astronomical Observation at GAO in 2001. Seven (7) personnel also participated in the International School for Young Astronomers (ISYA). Three of them attended the ISYA held in Thailand in 2001 while the remaining four are attending the course, which is presently being held in Malaysia.
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the IAU/TAD and PAGASA in 2002 led to the conduct of the Astronomers Training Course in the agency in 2003. Five (5) visiting lecturers of the IAU delivered lectures on various topics. PAGASA is still waiting for the availability of a lecturer to complete the course.
Three (3) astronomy personnel are also presently pursuing an M. Sc. degree in Astronomy at RTU. They are expected to finish the course in 2009. An AsRDS personnel is also presently completing a course on space science in India with a research topic on variable star photometry.
In the last quarter of 2007, another personnel of the astronomy section will undergo and On-the-Job Training on Outreach and Astronomical Research Activities at GAO. The activity will be made possible by a cooperation between IAU/TAD, GAO and PAGASA.
Given the preceding information on the past and present resources, activities and education in astronomy in the Philippines, it is not difficult to make a projection of the status of the science in the near future. In 1996, it was foreseen that, in the next decade, the development of astronomy in the country will remain as lethargic as it has been for the past four decades, unless drastic positive changes were implemented.
With the successful implementation of some of the revitalizing activities that were planned in 1997, particularly the installation of the donated 45-cm telescope and the enhancement of astronomical knowledge in astronomy of the PAGASA personnel as well as other astronomy enthusiasts, the Filipinos can always hope for a better and brighter future for astronomy in the Philippines.
