The Status of the Teachers’ Development Program of Tech-Voc Schools in the Province of Cavite: An Input to Work Efficacy and Performance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

As presently observed, there are many problems confronting educational institutions today, these include poor performance of students in national achievement test, inferior skills of students to land a job after graduation, and unsatisfactory work ethics of mediocre graduates that cannot compete in the global market. Congressional Commission on Education reported that the quality of Philippine Education has been declining continuously. Another issue that emerged in the Philippine education is poor teaching performance as shown in research undertaken for the purpose of assessing the level of excellence in Philippine education.

METHODS

The investigation employed descriptive presentation of variables; the frequency and percentage were used for nominal or categorical data while the mean and standard deviation were utilized for the variables that generated interval data. Data collected were treated statistically using standard statistical tools. Qualitative data were translated numerically using the five-point scale. To test the hypothesis the stepwise multiple regression analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software was applied.

RESULTS

Industrial Arts teachers in Tech-Voc schools mostly are pursuing master's program; Technology skills upgrading is generally the highly practiced and the most engaging professional development program provided by the Tech-Voc schools; Teachers exhibited high level of efficacy in student engagement, instructional strategies, and classroom management; Seminars and workshop, technology skills upgrading, peer mentoring, classroom visitation and continuing professional education show no effect on the teacher's performance nonetheless the teachers still demonstrated a very satisfactory performance; Teachers with more technology skills upgrading have higher work efficacy in terms of student engagement than those with lesser number of technology training; Teachers with higher level of work efficacy in instructional strategies are noticeable among teachers who have received technology skills upgrading and those who pursue higher level of education; Teachers who received coaching and mentoring from their colleagues obtained low level of work efficacy in classroom management. Teacher's work efficacy in classroom management is enhanced by pursuing master and/or doctorate degree programs. And inasmuch as technology skills upgrading, peer mentoring/coaching, and continuing professional education cast significant effects on the work efficacy of teachers.

DISCUSSIONS

Technology skills upgrading should be regularly provided to teachers as part of the development program of the school to enrich and keep the teacher's skills and knowledge updated. A strong need for industry partnership and linkages must also be established by the school head of the Tech-Voc schools, it may be a good avenue for "teacher's immersion program" for them to get internships during summer vacation. Teachers should also be recognized formally in recognition day or teacher's day celebration when they earned a higher level of National Certificate, this will motivate others to do the same.