SCRIPT ENGLISH
English Explanation (≈1.5–2 minutes)
Good day. My research poster is titled “Bridging the Mastery Gap: MATATAG Curriculum
Reform and the Role of Integrated STEM Materials in Philippine Education.”
This study examines the persistent mastery gap in mathematics and science education in the
Philippines. International assessments such as the Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
show that Filipino students consistently perform below global averages. For example, in PISA
2022, the Philippines scored 355 in mathematics, 347 in reading, and 355 in science, while the
OECD average ranges from about 472 to 485. Only 16% of students reached minimum
proficiency in mathematics, which indicates a significant learning gap.
This issue reflects what we call the mastery gap, where students may learn basic knowledge but
struggle with deep conceptual understanding and real-world application.
To address this problem, the Philippine government introduced the MATATAG Curriculum
Framework, which aims to improve education by decongesting the curriculum, strengthening
foundational literacy and numeracy, and promoting inquiry-based learning and STEM
integration.
However, based on a literature review of studies from 2019 to 2025, this research found that
several factors still contribute to the mastery gap. These include previous curriculum
congestion, reliance on rote learning, limited inquiry-based classroom experiences, and
resource constraints in many schools.
The most important gap identified is the lack of integrated STEM learning materials aligned
with the MATATAG curriculum. Without these materials, teachers may find it difficult to
implement interdisciplinary and inquiry-based instruction effectively.
In conclusion, while the MATATAG framework provides an important structural reform, its
success depends on the development of integrated STEM resources, teacher training, and
inquiry-based teaching strategies. Future research should focus on developing MATATAG-
aligned STEM modules and evaluating their impact on students’ problem-solving and reasoning
skills.
Thank you.
Tagalog Explanation (≈1.5–2 minutes)
Magandang araw. Ang aking research poster ay pinamagatang “Bridging the Mastery Gap:
MATATAG Curriculum Reform and the Role of Integrated STEM Materials in Philippine
Education.”
Layunin ng pag-aaral na ito na suriin ang patuloy na mastery gap sa matematika at agham sa
Pilipinas. Batay sa mga international assessments tulad ng Programme for International
Student Assessment o PISA at Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study o
TIMSS, makikita na ang mga estudyanteng Pilipino ay madalas na mas mababa ang marka
kumpara sa international average.
Halimbawa, sa PISA 2022, nakakuha ang Pilipinas ng 355 sa math, 347 sa reading, at 355 sa
science, samantalang ang OECD average ay nasa 472 hanggang 485. Tinatayang 16% lamang
ng mga mag-aaral ang umabot sa minimum proficiency sa math, na nagpapakita ng
malaking learning gap.
Ito ang tinatawag na mastery gap, kung saan natututo ang mga estudyante ng basic knowledge
ngunit nahihirapan silang maunawaan nang mas malalim ang konsepto at gamitin ito sa
totoong sitwasyon.
Bilang tugon sa problemang ito, ipinakilala ng Department of Education ang MATATAG
Curriculum Framework, na naglalayong bawasan ang dami ng competencies sa curriculum,
palakasin ang foundational literacy at numeracy, at isulong ang inquiry-based learning at
STEM integration.
Gayunpaman, batay sa literature review ng mga pag-aaral mula 2019 hanggang 2025,
natukoy na may mga salik pa ring nagdudulot ng mastery gap. Kabilang dito ang dating
overloaded curriculum, labis na paggamit ng rote learning o memorization, kakulangan ng
inquiry-based learning sa klase, at kakulangan ng resources sa maraming paaralan.
Ang pinakamahalagang gap na natukoy ay ang kakulangan ng integrated STEM learning
materials na nakaayon sa MATATAG curriculum. Dahil dito, nahihirapan ang mga guro na
ipatupad ang interdisciplinary at inquiry-based na pagtuturo.
Sa kabuuan, bagama’t mahalagang reporma ang MATATAG curriculum, nakasalalay ang
tagumpay nito sa pagbuo ng STEM learning materials, pagsasanay ng mga guro, at
paggamit ng inquiry-based na pagtuturo. Sa hinaharap, mahalagang mag-develop ng
MATATAG-aligned STEM modules at pag-aralan ang epekto nito sa problem-solving at
reasoning skills ng mga mag-aaral.