2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 18
Available Online: 30 July 2026
Author/s:
Guerrero, Alona
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – North La Union Campus, Philippines (alona.galleto@deped.gov.ph)
Abstract:
To address learners’ readiness to promote scientific literacy and STEM courses, the Department of Education of the Philippines has developed Special Science Elementary School (SSES) program. The literature study systematically reviews 42 peer-reviewed papers, policy documents, and empirical studies published between 2021 and 2026, obtained from Scopus, ERIC, Google Scholar, and JANE. Works on instructional leadership, curriculum innovation, teacher competency, institutional preparation, and sustainability were included, but non-peer-reviewed publications and studies unrelated to elementary science education were excluded. Three main themes emerged: (1) instructional leadership and curriculum implementation, (2) infrastructural and financial restrictions, and (3) stakeholder collaboration and educator development. The impacts of SSES on improving student achievement, inquiry skills, and curriculum originality have been continuously highlighted in research. But there are inequalities in the institutional ability, budgetary adequacy, and equitable deployment of resources. The problems that persist include the inadequacy of laboratory facilities, the lack of skilled scientific teachers and the dependency on contributions by stakeholders owing to lack of government support. This research shows considerable gaps in longitudinal student results, equity-driven implementation, and learner-centered perspectives, and comparatively less attention on collaborative governance models. This study contributes to national and international scholarship by positioning the SSES curriculum within worldwide dialogues on scientific education reform and sustainability. It offers specific funding instruments, increased professional development of teachers, and governance structures grounded in fairness to foster sustainable and inclusive transformations in science education.
Keywords: special science elementary school, science education, instructional leadership, curriculum innovation, sustainability
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26353
Cite this article:
Guerrero, A. (2026). Implementation of the Special Science Elementary School program: A literature review on leadership, curriculum, and sustainability. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(18), 111-118. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26353