ㅡ“Hindi ka kikita kung mag HUMSS ka”, “nag HUMSS ka lang naman kasi madali”. In the Philippines, the pursuit of higher education is often hindered by financial constraints. Government initiatives such as the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Science Education Institute offer numerous scholarships specifically for STEM-related fields and only require top 5% students from non-STEM strands. These scholarships aim to address the country's need for skilled professionals in science and technology to drive innovation and economic development. However, it has been an issue that there is a lack of similar scholarship opportunities for non-STEM fields in the Philippines. According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) (2022), around 63% of government scholarship programs in the Philippines are geared towards STEM-related disciplines, leaving limited options for students pursuing non-STEM courses. The differences in scholarship offerings between STEM and non-STEM fields were exposed by a study carried out by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). The study revealed that whereas STEM scholarships are well-funded and easily accessible, they are very uncommon to students with non-STEM courses, specifically, TVL, ABM, and HUMSS. Thus, STEM fields often receive more attention and funding due to their perceived practicality and direct contribution to technological advancement and economic growth. Consequently, scholarships and grants tend to flow more generously into STEM programs, leaving non-STEM students grappling with limited financial aid options. 
 
A factor also contributing to the lack of non-STEM scholarships is the misconception that these fields lead to fewer career opportunities. While STEM fields are often considered “useful”, non-STEM courses offer a variety of fulfilling career paths that most people don’t realize. These toxic societal perceptions that favour STEM-courses often lead students to feel pressured to pursue STEM majors to secure scholarships or gain parental approval, even if their true passions lie elsewhere.  Every student is unique, with different interests, strengths, and career aspirations. While some students may excel in STEM subjects, others may find their passion and talent in non-STEM fields. It's essential to recognize that there are many paths to success and fulfillment, and not all of them involve STEM. By belittling non-STEM courses, we limit students' options and discourage them from exploring their full potential. Education should be a level playing field where all students have the chance to excel, regardless of their chosen path of study. However, the current gap in scholarship opportunities leads to an imbalance, leaving non-STEM students at a disadvantage. This imbalance not only limits their access to higher education but also feeds the toxic belief that STEM fields are inherently more valuable. As a result, the lack of scholarship opportunities for non-STEM based courses is a pressing issue that demands attention and action. It perpetuates inequality, limits opportunities, and sends a discouraging message to students who are passionate about non-STEM disciplines. We must advocate for equal recognition and support for all academic pursuits, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their chosen field of study.

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“The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines issued Memorandum Order No. 13, Series of 2014, which outlines scholarship programs primarily focused on STEM fields. While these initiatives are commendable in promoting excellence in science and technology, they contribute to the marginalization of non-STEM disciplines by neglecting their scholarship needs (CHED, 2014).”

Government Institutions solely prioritizing funding STEM courses

 DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo emphasized the country’s growing need for a critical mass of STEM educators who proactively contribute to nation-building by teaching the value of science, technology, and innovation. She, then, recognized the Institute’s achievements in having molded generations of deserving scholars and in having produced more teachers at the frontline of STEM education through the scholarship program.

The President, Garafil said,

 "Marcos has since expressed commitment to fixing the gap in research and development in STEM, saying the Philippines has 'a lot to catch up' in the STEM fields,". "Experts said the Philippines needs to invest in addressing these issues to have a strong STEM community to make the country competitive. They say investing in STEM can boost the country economically, politically, and educationally." she said.

Experience of Amanda Joy Villaroman from University of the Philippines Baguio

“I remember feeling deeply frustrated when I came across a post offering a scholarship for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students. I tried to find scholarships for humanities and social sciences (HUMSS) students but was disappointed when I saw more posts about scholarships on Facebook that prioritized STEM programs. To make things worse, the program that I wanted to pursue in college was media-related.When the results of the Ateneo College Entrance Test came out, I was overjoyed that I qualified for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program. Yet the P125,000 tuition per semester snapped me back to reality. There was no way my family could afford that. “

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This petition can reach several groups of people who can greatly contribute to the success of our platform. These are:

STUDENTS - Students who are considering choosing a Non-STEM track would greatly benefit from the increase of scholarship benefits and opportunities. 
PARENTS - Parents are most likely to be the ones affected and concerned about the financial struggles every student faces when it comes to pursuing higher education. Signing this petition can help support initiatives that can gretaly provide their children with more scholarship opportunities. 
CITIZENS - Individuals who stands by every students’ rights when it comes to having equal opportunities regardless of one’s field of study.
 
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Signing this petition and reaching its success can lead to several impacts that can change the scholarship allocation policy. To start off, spreading this petition can serve to raise awareness and shed light to the issue regarding disparities when it comes to scholarship opportunities between people who take STEM fields and those who did not. Doing this can also change one’s perception that Non-STEM tracks are useless in today’s society or are less valuable. Hence, this petition can promote a huge understanding that all academic tracks are important and shouldn’t be disregarded when it comes to scholarship support. Moreover, leading this petition to a success can be an eye-opener to the  government offices and departments to re-evaluate and make some changes when it comes to education policies, especially in the allocation of scholarships. This petition can also help promote social equity by ensuring that every students have equal opportunities and financial support and this can help encourage them as well to not force themselves to take a STEM program, but pursue a program that is aligned with their interests and passions in order to have a more diverse workforce and have several contribution of benefits to various sectors and work fields that can lead to greater innovations. Lastly, signing this petition can promote individuals to contribute and support a movement that is seeking to create a more inclusive educational environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed based on their own interests, and live up to the saying that “No student should be left behind.” 

What provisions should be made? 

Advocating for reforming scholarship grants allows students from non-STEM courses to have equal opportunities with the STEM field in pursuing higher education without financial barriers. Specifically, there should be a scholarship provision for non-STEM courses in the Philippines by: 

Increasing Government Funding for non-STEM courses

This advocacy aims to call the authorities to allocate more resources to support students pursuing degrees in arts, humanities, social sciences, and other non STEM disciplines. With this, we can level the benefits of STEM courses to non-STEM courses and ensure equitable access to higher education. This requires a commitment from policymakers to prioritize education as a fundamental investment in the nation's future.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Creating sustainable scholarship opportunities for non-STEM courses requires collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, private organizations, and civil society. By fostering partnerships and connecting resources, we can maximize the impact of scholarship programs and reach a larger number of deserving students. These partnerships can also facilitate mentorship, internships, and job placement opportunities, enriching the educational experience and enhancing students' employability.

Make the scholarship criteria accessible for non-STEM courses

Scholarship criteria should be broadened to recognize and reward excellence in various aspects beyond high academic achievement alone. Non-STEM courses often require creativity, critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills, which should be valued and recognized through scholarship programs. By expanding scholarship criteria, we can empower a wider spectrum of students to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society.

Destigmatize Non-STEM fields

To combat the prevailing stigma surrounding non-STEM fields, this advocacy serves to highlight the value and importance of diverse academic disciplines. Educators, parents, and policymakers should emphasize the different career opportunities available in non-STEM fields and celebrate the achievements of individuals who have excelled in these areas. By destigmatizing non-STEM fields, we can encourage more students to pursue their interests without fear of judgment or discrimination.

By addressing this issue head-on and challenging societal biases that favor STEM fields over others, we can promote diverse academic disciplines' value and ensure that all students have equal access to financial aid.

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“Equality of opportunity is an equal opportunity to provide unequal talents” 

Let's work together towards a future where every student in the Philippines has an equal opportunity to pursue their passions without financial barriers standing in their way - regardless of whether they choose a path within or outside STEM fields.

#DestigmatizeNonStemCourses

#ScholarshipForAll

#BeyondSTEM

#FundNonStemCourses

#ScholarsBeyondBorders