1 Proceedings of the Redesigning Pedagogy: Culture, Knowledge and Understanding Conference, Singapore, May 2007 Curriculum Design of Preservice Teacher Education for Indigenization of Elementary School Science Amelia R. Clasara - Fajardo, Ph.D. Faculty-in-Charge, Curriculum Studies Area University of the Philippines College of Education Abstract This paper presents proposed changes in the pre-service teacher education program for the development of skills for indigenization of elementary school science. The proposal emphasizes the need for the development of more specific competence for teaching science to indigenous people or diverse culture. There should be conscious effort to develop awareness of one’s attitude towards ethnocultural groups in the foundation courses (sociology, philosophy and psychology). Moreover, there s also a need to develop skills in designing instruction, developing instructional materials using local materials to make science teaching relevant to the indigenous people and learners of diverse culture. It is also important that field experience in schools with indigenous people and diverse culture be integrated in the program Rationale For several decades, improving science education in both elementary and secondary schools is one of the main concerns of the Philippine government. Dismal performance of elementary and secondary school students both in national and international levels particularly in TIMSS has been a strong driving force in focusing efforts toward the improvement of teaching science since quality science education is perceived to be related to economic development. Reform efforts for several decades range from establishment of science high schools, enrichment of the elementary school science curriculum, training of science teachers for upgrading of knowledge and teaching skills performance competence, equipping some schools through improvisation programs and instructional materials development. In spite of all these efforts, quality science education is still as elusive as ever. Problems and issues remain to be related to unqualified teachers, lack of facilities, classrooms and textbooks, irrelevant curriculum and instruction. Of these, the issue of irrelevance of science is one major concern because science is envisioned to provide learners skills to improve their lives and become productive citizens. Science is being taught focused on the content and process with very little link to everyday life giving the students idea that science is something separate from their lives. Thus even if Filipino