Can't use php echo $_GET in template. Need help

[galerio]

I need to add a code like

PHP Code:

<?php echo $_GET["q"]; ?>

to show the word searched (it comes from an url .php?q=example). But this function doesn't show anything, just blank!
And also when I put into search script to automatically write the word in the search form

PHP Code:

<input type="text" value="<?php echo $_GET["q"]; ?>" name="query" class="textbox" tabindex="99"/>

it shows in the search field the exact text <?php echo $_GET["q"]; ?> !!!!

Is there some vb function that strip this code?