Program Sustainability of B.S. Chemistry from the Purview of Performance in the Chemist Licensure Examination

Abstract

The study looked at sustainability of the B.S. Chemistry program particularly in Region 6 from the point of view of performance in the Chemist Licensure Examination (CLE). The respondents were the centers of excellence and development in chemistry before the issuance of CMO 05 s.2007, and the Region 6 schools offering B.S. Chemistry. The attributes of consistent top performing schools in the CLE from 2002 to 2006 constituted the profile of a Top Performing School (TPS) and was used in institutional benchmarking. Top performers are way ahead in excellence of their faculty and laboratory, and keep to the minimum the chemistry units in their curricula. The other respondents meet some of the benchmarks. Only two other centers of excellence are anywhere near the TPS profile but no other respondent meets the benchmark in CLE performance. Correlation analyses between CLE performance and the variables reveal CLE performance has a high correlation with chemistry specialization; high negative correlation with lecture credit units; and substantial relationship with enrollment. Problem in enrollment therefore, translates to a quality issue. Improving the instructional elements can be instrumental in increasing enrollment. Nevertheless, commitment and fortitude from principal stakeholders are equally necessary to keep the program viable. Keywords – Science Education, Benchmark, Top Performing School, Chemistry, Program Sustainability, Center of Excellence, Center of Development, Institutional benchmarking, Indices, Descriptive Study, Philippines