Distributing STEM Excellence: Establishing SUC STEM Centers for Professional Development

Quality of education is one of the biggest challenges in the Philippines, as reflected in students' low performance in large-scale international assessments. A recent report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) strategically suggests that consistent Teacher Professional Development (TPD) is the key to improving teacher quality, which will directly translate into learners' STEM literacy. Only a few TPD programs in provincial institutions focus on science and mathematics content, and those that do are distant from the training center, creating a hindrance.

Findings further show that attending STEM-focused TPD strongly capacitates teachers in both content and pedagogy. However, nearby teachers from the training center benefited greatly and enjoyed the STEM TPD, while the majority of teachers from distant school divisions that require long travel, such as island cities and provinces, missed the opportunity to attend.

This policy brief therefore recommends that provincial state universities and colleges establish STEM hubs for professional development as part of decentralizing STEM centers. This includes mentoring and coaching with a large university in the region, partnerships with national institutions, connections with international organizations, the private sector, and LGUs, and strong partnerships with DepEd and CHED for sustainability through SUC autonomy post-initial support, fostering a national network of STEM hubs.

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URL: Distributing STEM Excellence: Establishing SUC STEM Centers for Professional Development