PROMOTING STEM EDUCATION AMIDST

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

MARCO DUMLAO MATA

EDUC 280
College of Education
University of the Philippines, Diliman

In November 2019, the COVID-19 crisis began to spread in Wuhan City, China. On the other hand,
in the Philippines, the first case was reported in late January 2020. Up to now, this crisis is still affecting the
way of living of people all over the world. Work, school, and public transportation are suspended. Morever,
everyone is encouraged to stay indoors, in order to slow down the transmission of the virus, until the vaccine
or cure has been developed.

Since the beginning, we have seen how Science, as well as Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics, guide us and light us in our fight with this pandemic. These areas of study help the
government come up with right decisions and future plans for our country by providing the following:
 Review of the past pandemics;
 Interpretation of the trends of records of new cases, death, and recoveries;
 Development of ways to accelerate recoveries; and
 Efforts in developing vaccine or cure to COVID-19 through research.
Seeing these efforts from the STEM field, the government should really give priority to STEM education.

According to Soumya Swaminathan (2020, as cited in UNESCO, 2020):

“Collaboration is really critical for knowledge and data sharing as well as in advancing
COVID-19 research. At a time when trade and transport barriers are impeding the
movement of critical materials, it is important to underline that science be allowed to lead
the global response to this pandemic.”

Hence, this is the perfect timing for the government to encourage Filipino learners to pursue STEM strand or
STEM-related courses. This could be done through information campaigns at early grades; allotment of
additional budget for the advancement of STEM Education; and providing subsidy for students who want to
pursue STEM strand or STEM-related courses.

The first step on this promotion is in the hands of the Department of Education (DepEd). Aside from
promoting STEM as a stand offered in senior high school level, they should also create avenues for students
in the elementary and junior high school levels to know and experience STEM. This could be done through
partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) during the celebration of the National
Science and Technology Week (NSTW). With this, learners who are already inclined to STEM have
something to look forward when they reach the level where their programs are being offered.

Moreover, DepEd should also establish Special Science Classes in all regular high schools all over
the Philippines since there are only a few regular high schools with these kind of classes. Doing this will
give more opportunities to students in other regular high schools to be exposed on STEM-related activities
and programs.

Another step that the government should take is to increase the budget for STEM education. A
quality STEM education requires quality facilities, resources, as well as teachers. Thus, if we want to give
our learners a quality STEM Education, the government should invest on these things, more importantly,
quality teachers. They must be equipped with necessary and relevant skills they need in delivering their
content. Hence, the government should support the professional development and continuous lifelong
learning of these educators.
 Lastly, is through providing subsidy to all learners who want to take the STEM strand or STEM
related courses because these are quite expensive. Even though tuition fees in State Universities and
Colleges are waived, the students still need to pay miscellaneous fees that are usually costly. Moreover,
ongoing scholarships and academic aids should be expanded so that more and more indigent yet deserving
Filipino learners will be given opportunities.

Overall, STEM Education plays a vital role not only in our current situation but also during normal
times. As Milligan (2020) said, “STEM graduates play a vital role in developing meaningful solutions to
societal problems, such as the public health crisis we are currently facing.” Thus, it is really important that
the government gives priority to STEM education once this pandemic is over.

REFERENCES
Erduran, S. Science Education in the Era of a Pandemic. Sci & Educ 29, 233–235 (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-020-00122-w

Lee, M., Chai, C.S. & Hong, H. STEM Education in Asia Pacific: Challenges and Development. Asia-
Pacific Edu Res 28, 1–4 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-018-0424-z

Milligan, Michael. 2020. STEM Education Plays a Vital Role in Combating COVID-19. Retrieved from
https://www.abet.org/stem-education-plays-a-vital-role-in-combating-covid-19/

UNESCO. 2020. COVID-19 - Open science and reinforced scientific cooperation. Retrived from
https://en.unesco.org/covid19/sciencesresponse