Effects of Utilization of Science Laboratory Equipment on the Academic Performance of Grade 7 Students

Education is crucial to human existence. It is essential for opening doors to a bright future. It enables people to accomplish their goals. This goal might not be achievable without high-quality education. All educational levels' course quality and content are critical to providing high-quality education. Teachers are the director, facilitator, and manager, and they are ultimately responsible for the education’s success. Therefore, it is the teacher's job to use a variety of instructional materials to get students involved in meaningful activities that will help them acquire skills and information. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines provides in the Declaration of Principles and State Policies of Article XIV, Section 10, states that: “Science and technology are essential for national development and progress. The State shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization, and to science and technology education, training, and services. It shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems and national life.” This emphasizes that science and technology are crucial for the advancement and growth of the nation. This mandates that the government should prioritize the Science and Technology development, as well as education, to establish the groundwork for the long-term development and advancement of the nation. To strengthen Science and Technology education in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) and in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has been implementing the Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) Program since 2004. Currently, about 112 schools nationwide have officially adopted this program. DepEd allocates funds to support its implementation, which cover essential needs such as supplies and materials for investigatory projects, expenses related to student research, laboratory fees, testing costs, equipment and laboratory rentals (including computer and science labs), as well as transportation.