Forum on the Challenges and Opportunities in the

Implementation of the K-12 Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics (Stem) Curriculum
On June 23, 2016, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines, through the
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division (MPSD), conducted the Forum on the Challenges and
Opportunities in the Implementation of the K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) Curriculum. Various stakeholders of the program, from the academe and public and private
institutions, participated in the forum.

Academician William G. Padolina, member of MPSD, welcomed the participants and pointed out that
"having the K-12 system in place does not exactly mean that there is no more room for improvement. He
acknowledges that there is still work that needs to be done in addressing the challenges in
implementation and in improving the system and the curriculum itself as we are already in the last phase
of the transition period.

Mr. Joseph R. Jacob, supervising education program specialist of the Bureau of Curriculum Development
- Curriculum Standards Development Division, Department of Education (DepEd), discussed the current
status of the K-12 STEM program. The reform in the curriculum intends to produce scientifically,
environmentally, and technologically literate graduates with 21st century skills. Mr. Jacob explained that in
ensuring the efficiency of the program, DepEd has conducted consultative meetings with concerned
stakeholders in developing the science program curriculum and curriculum guides.

The spiral progression approach in the Philippine K-12 curriculum was discussed by Dr. Marlene B.
Ferido, science education specialist V of National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education
Development, University of the Philippines. According to Dr. Ferido, the common misconception about the
spiral progression approach is that it is associated with the integrated approach in science. The spiral
progression approach is a means to teach from the simplest concepts to the more complex ones through
the revisiting of basic foundations as new concepts are tackled. This transition to the use of spiral
progression approach was recognized to be difficult not only to students but also to teachers.
Intensification of pre-service training for teachers which focuses on the understanding of the spiral
progression approach is needed to address this concern.

Private and public high school teachers were also invited as discussants and shared their experiences
and insights on the implementation of the K-12 curriculum in their respective institutions. The discussants
were: Mr. Bonn Lester Floyd R. Cervantes of Makati High School, Mr. John Gabriel T. Bilog of Ateneo de
Manila Senior High School, and Ms. Ana Jamille A. Restubog of San Francisco High School. Dr. Ramon
R. Miranda, former executive director of the Philippine Science High School Systems, served as a reactor
of the forum.

Being in the front line, the discussants raised their concern on how to properly implement the program,
issues such as, addressing the teachers training needs, ability to adjust with the current set-up, and
capacity building, were tackled. These were acknowledged to be significant in sustaining the program.
The discussants shared that in their respective schools, sharing of teaching styles among themselves are
their primary means of dealing with the teaching-related changes in the curricula. It was also shared that
some students enroll in the STEM strand even if their skills do not match with the requirement of the
strand. With this, the concern on formulating a mechanism for screening students enrolling in the different
tracks was also raised.

Dr. Miranda reacted on the risk of assuming that specialized teacher could readily teach in other fields
when training is still needed. Student learning in the K-12 STEM program must be the major concern
above all. Dr. Miranda challenged the participants to assess and reflect on their teaching practices,
policies, and resources as to how these make students learn effectively.

Academician Fortunato B. Sevilla III, member of MPSD, was the moderator and master of ceremonies.
Contact Person:
ACD. WILLIAM G. PADOLINA
Member, Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division
National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines
8373170 ~ secretariat@nast.ph