Science teaching and learning in Japan and the Philippines: A comparative study

Abstract

This study aims to compare the science curriculum in Japan and the Philippines. Results show that the lesson plan is a requirement in both countries. But Japanese has no fixed standard and in the Philippines, it is found in the Teachers' Guide and ready-made lesson plan. Each science teacher in Japan and the Philippines created instructional materials to make science teaching fun and interesting. The time allotment for both countries is different. In Japan, around 45 to 50 minutes for 2 to 3 days a week in all grade levels. While in the Philippines, 1 to 4 times a week in elementary and junior high school, and 80 minutes for the whole year in senior high school. Also, science classes in Japan have only around 35 students, but more than 40 students in the Philippines. During the experiment, each group in Japan is composed of 4 members, while around 8 to 10 in the Philippines. The scarcity of science facilities and equipment is one common perennial problem in the Philippines. But in Japan, state-of-the-art materials are used during laboratory activities and many Japanese science teachers are still creating innovations. Japan has no specific guidelines for the grading system. But Filipino students are graded base on the standard. All science teachers in Japan and the Philippines take licensure examination before allowing them to teach at any grade level. Both countries have positive and negative points in the implementation of the science pedagogy. Learning from each other's best practices will help the science curriculum.