DOST Balik Scientist awardee and PFST Scientist-in-Residence Prof. Cora Salumbides called for stronger government backing for STEM education during her interview on DZRH’s Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.

Salumbides, who has trained more than 10,000 science teachers since 2009, said local government unit (LGU) support remains lacking despite high interest among educators.

“There is a lack of LGU support, but teachers are very interested in the training,” she said.

Salumbides' training programs cover Grade 3 to Grade 12 teachers in Mindanao, with emphasis on the full STEM spectrum.

A CEU alumna with postgraduate degrees from the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University, Salumbides is also set to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster, where her teaching methods will be adapted internationally.

K–12: Longer, not deeper

On the K–12 system, Salumbides compared the previous curriculum with the current one, saying depth has been sacrificed for length.

“When we had K–10, maiksi sya pero malalim ang itinuturo natin, Ngayong hinabaan nila with K–12, it is longer but it's only an inch deep,” she said.

She added that many teachers were unprepared for the transition to K–12, a problem worsened by the pandemic.

Salumbides urged the government to address persistent gaps in the education system, particularly in classrooms.

“DepEd should make class sizes smaller, get the teachers better materials… the modules should be improved and should be regular textbook written by authors that are more knowledgeable instead of teachers making modules for their fellow teachers,” she said.

She emphasized that educators need proper tools and institutional support noting that “they are the ones in the battlefield.”

Salumbides continues her nationwide work, particularly in Mindanao, where she trains chemistry and STEM educators. Her mission, she said, is to strengthen science instruction in classrooms by empowering teachers with proper training and resources.