Deficiencies on Laboratory Facilities in Criminalistics Encountered by PNPA Cadets

Local Literature

In past decade, long line of researches identifies that the Philippines is undeniably lag and behind
compared to other countries worldwide from the basic up to the tertiary level. According to
Orleans (2007), research confirmed during a national survey, 767 schools out of 1000 randomly
selected schools in the Philippines, that digital technologies such as computers and modern
laboratory equipment improve learning and proven effective in assessing efficient acquisition of
knowledge.

DOST-SEI started implementing the Mobile Information Technology Classrooms throughout the
country. These are interactive classrooms with laboratory in buses that move from school to
school. During the implementation of this project, a significant increase in terms of opportunities
to learn using the efficient and standard laboratory facility specially in science subjects
(Department of Science and Technology, 2005).

In 2014, during the transition period for the full implementation of K to 12 in the curriculum in
the Philippines, it was regarded that lack of materials and facilities in public schools, and even in
private schools are hounding the K to 12 implementations (Legaspi, 2014). This shortage affected
almost all aspect of teaching and learning. Teachers sacrifice their own pockets to meet the level
of competency prescribe in the curriculum. On the other hand, students learn half-bake concepts
instead of in depth.

Primary focus during laboratory classes is to give a simulation exercise to students. In a research
involving maritime students in Lyceum International Maritime Academy, it was pointed out that
through providing a latest state-of-the-art maritime laboratory facility, students are able to catch
up with the latest processes and equipment in the field (Maristela Jr., Moredo, & Pan, 2015). An
efficient laboratory facility must be handled also with a competent instructor that is able to
demonstrate the real-life process and circumstances. By this, students are satisfied and be able
to apply and demonstrate the concepts correctly and develop the courage to try and develop the
skill needed as well.

The research entitled “The Effect of the Adequacy of School Facilities on Students’ Performance
and Achievement in Technology and Livelihood Education”, the findings supported the
assumptions that insufficient school facilities were negatively impacting student performance
and achievement. It proved that the lack of educational facilities was proven to pose serious
ramifications on student performance and achievement (Limon, 2016).

International Literature

In an assessment in 2011-2012 in the Army Research Laboratory in Washington DC, it should be

noted that the efforts at the Simulation and Training Technology Center appeared to represent
an impressive program of work. The evaluation reported that there is an improvement in the
performance of the armed forced in terms of rescue operations (Laboratory Assessments Board,
2013). There is also a significant statistical significance between theory based instruction
compared to practical based instruction.

(Reid, 2013) studied on ‘Quality assurance, open and distance learning, and Australian
universities’. They found that determined instructors moved through different phases of their
learning experience, and their needs changed at each stage. It turned out that with the help of
excellent educational instructors, the quality of learning is improved and developed when an
institution has a conducive learning environment, infrastructures and technologies.

Most institutions eye to retain excellent teachers by having a good administration and salary.
However, as a result of an empirical analysis in schools in urban districts (Buckley, Schneider, &
Shang, 2014) found out that this is not the most considering factor for an instructor to stay. One
significant factor in teacher retention is the school facility and community involvement in an
institution. Teachers believe that a strong support group within the school with a quality facility
promotes quality learning and produces quality graduates.

In a study in University of Pretoria in South Africa, a research revealed that through successful
quality exposition, learners are challenged and provoked to think, react and participate in a
subject. Since most learners, learn by example, a laboratory, in one form is a bridge to the future
engagement of students where they can apply when they can apply what they have learned
someday in reality through different laboratory works where they use a variety of stimuli
(Frambry, 2015).

Works Cited
Orleans, A. V. (2007). The Condition of Secondary School Physics Education in the Philippines:
Recent Developments and Remaining Challenges for Substantive Improvements. The Australian
Educational Researcher , 34 (1).

Department of Science and Technology. (2005, April 04). Philippine Department of Science and
Technology Science Education Institute. Manila, Philippines.

Legaspi, A. (2014, June 02). Lack of materials, facilities still hound K to 12 implementation. GMA
News Online .

Limon, M. R. (2016). The Effect of the Adequacy of School Facilities on Students’ Performance
and Achievement in Technology and Livelihood Education. International Journal of Academic
Research in Progressive Education and Development , 5 (1), 45-69.

Maristela Jr., J., Moredo, D., & Pan, L. (2015). Satisfaction of Maritime Students in using
Laboratory Facilities. Asia Pacific Journal of Maritime Education , 1 (1), 33-39.
Reid, R. (2013, April 14). The Multiple Meanings of ‘Resilience’: An Overview of the Literature*.
Australian Journal of Public Administration , 14-24.
Frambry, K. (2015, August 02). New higher education network to boost production of PHDs among
university staff. Retrieved from University of Pretoria:
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/24976/02chapter2.pdf?sequence=3

Buckley, J., Schneider, M., & Shang, Y. (2014, February). The Effects of School Facility Quality on
Teacher Retention in Urban School Districts. National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities , 3-
15.

Laboratory Assessments Board. (2013). 2011-2012 Assessment of the Army Research

Laboratory. Washington, DC, USA: The National Academies Press.