UP NISMED Plans Quantum Computing Classes for High Schools

The University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED) has begun formal planning for quantum computing education in Philippine high schools. On October 1, 2026, institute leaders met with representatives of the Quantum Computing Society of the Philippines (QCSP) at the UP NISMED complex in Diliman, Quezon City, to map out teacher training and curriculum development. The collaboration marks an early step toward introducing quantum concepts into secondary classrooms and ensuring that local STEM education keeps pace with global advances in computation.

As an initial move, UP NISMED will host a one-day training workshop in late November 2026. The session is designed primarily for the institute’s own Science and Mathematics Education Specialists. Organizers intend the workshop to build internal expertise so that specialists can later design appropriate learning pathways and instructional materials. The curriculum will blend foundational lectures with a hands-on quantum programming component using Python. Organizers deliberately chose Python because of its accessibility and wide use in introductory quantum computing courses worldwide, making the material more approachable for educators who may be encountering the subject for the first time.

UP NISMED Director Dr. Monterola underscored the importance of direct experience. “Our specialists need to understand quantum computing firsthand so we can collectively design appropriate learning pathways and curricula,” he said. The same philosophy guided earlier UP NISMED initiatives in additive manufacturing, mobile application design, and artificial intelligence literacy. Those previous programs demonstrated that internal capacity-building followed by pilot classroom testing produces more effective and sustainable instructional packages.

Beyond UP NISMED staff, select educators from the UP Integrated School (UPIS), the UP College of Education, and nearby secondary schools are being considered for participation. Broadening the first cohort is expected to multiply the workshop’s impact and create an early network of teachers familiar with quantum topics. Once the specialists gain proficiency, the institute and QCSP plan to develop a dedicated Quantum Computing elective package for piloting at UPIS. The target is to introduce the subject before the next academic year, giving students an early introduction to concepts such as superposition, entanglement, and basic quantum algorithms in a structured high-school setting.

QCSP President Bobby Corpus, Jr. joined Dr. Monterola in the October meeting to discuss strategies for bringing these ideas into classrooms. Both organizations emphasized that the goal is not simply to add another elective but to prepare students for technologies that are already shaping research, cybersecurity, and industry. Quantum computing remains an emerging field, yet nations and companies worldwide are investing heavily in talent pipelines. By starting with teacher preparation and a carefully designed pilot, UP NISMED aims to give Philippine students a head start rather than waiting until university-level courses become the only entry point.

The planned elective will build on proven instructional design methods already used at the institute. Materials are expected to include age-appropriate explanations of quantum principles, guided programming exercises, and connections to real-world applications. Because the November workshop focuses on Python, teachers will leave with practical coding experience that they can adapt for classroom use. Later stages of the project will likely involve refining those materials based on pilot feedback from UPIS students and teachers.

Officials noted that the collaboration also strengthens the broader quantum ecosystem in the Philippines. QCSP brings technical knowledge and community connections, while UP NISMED contributes deep expertise in science and mathematics education and a track record of scaling new topics across schools. Together they intend to create pathways that are rigorous yet realistic for secondary learners. Success at the pilot stage could open the door to wider adoption in other high schools, eventually influencing national curriculum discussions.

The timing of the initiative reflects growing international attention to quantum education at pre-university levels. Several countries have begun incorporating introductory quantum modules into STEM programs to demystify the field and spark early interest. Philippine educators see a similar opportunity: students who encounter quantum ideas in high school may be more likely to pursue related degrees or careers, helping the country build a domestic talent base.

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In the months ahead, UP NISMED and QCSP will finalize workshop details, invite additional participants, and begin outlining the elective’s scope and sequence. The one-day training in late November will serve as the practical foundation. Specialists who complete the session will then work with QCSP members to draft learning objectives, sample activities, and assessment approaches suitable for the UP Integrated School context.

For students and parents, the announcement signals that advanced computational topics are moving closer to everyday classrooms. For teachers, it offers professional development in a rapidly evolving domain. And for the Philippine education system, it represents a deliberate effort to align secondary STEM offerings with technologies that will define the coming decades.

UP NISMED’s approach start with specialist training, design materials collaboratively, pilot carefully, then expand has already succeeded with other emerging technologies. Applying the same method to quantum computing positions the institute to deliver a high-quality introduction that is both scientifically sound and pedagogically effective. If the pilot at UPIS proceeds as planned, Philippine high school students could soon have one of the region’s earlier structured opportunities to explore the quantum world.

The partnership between UP NISMED and the Quantum Computing Society of the Philippines therefore carries significance beyond a single workshop or elective. It lays groundwork for sustained capacity-building, curriculum innovation, and student preparation in a field that continues to accelerate. As quantum hardware and algorithms advance, education systems that invest early in teacher readiness and age-appropriate content will give their learners a meaningful advantage. With the October planning meeting complete and the November training on the calendar, that process is now underway in the Philippines.