DOST scholars excel in September 2024 teacher licensure examination

By Michelle Ducut

Two scholars from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have achieved top ranks in the September 2024 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers, as announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Shandie Carbonell secured the 8th spot with a rating of 93%, while Patricia Balico attained the 9th position with a score of 92.80%. Both are graduates of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) College of Education in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. 

Carbonell was a DOST merit scholar, and Balico received support under Republic Act No. 7687, known as the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994. Their achievements highlight the effectiveness of DOST’s scholarship programs in fostering academic excellence. 

DOST Ilocos Norte Director Benjamin Mercado Jr. commended the scholars, stating, “Your remarkable achievement is a testament to your hard work, determination, and dedication to your academic pursuits.” He emphasized the importance of their contributions to the advancement of science and technology in the nation. 

Balico, who graduated magna cum laude, shared that her decision to pursue secondary education with a major in science was driven by a passion for inspiring others. Initially considering a pre-law course, she chose teaching to fulfill her newfound purpose, facilitated by the opportunity provided by the DOST-Science Education Institute undergraduate scholarship. She expressed, “The decision to pursue education has brought me fulfillment and a sense of purpose I never expected.” 

The success of Carbonell and Balico contributes to MMSU’s reputation for producing top-performing graduates in various licensure examinations. In previous years, MMSU has been recognized as a top-performing school in the Licensure Examination for Teachers, with multiple graduates achieving top ranks. 

The September 2024 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers saw a significant number of examinees, with 20,025 elementary teachers out of 44,002 examinees (45.51%) and 48,875 secondary teachers out of 85,926 examinees (56.88%) successfully passing the examination.