Factors Affecting Senior High School Students' Choice to Veer Away from Agricultural Courses in San Juan, Batangas

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Some of the farmers inherit this kind of profession from their ancestors and so, being a farmer is believed to run into their bloods. In the year 2018, the employment rate was estimated at 94.7 percent. The labor force participation rate involves farmers at the age 15 years old and above but these people are not studying anymore. The average age of the Filipino farmers is 57 and the average educational attainment of a farmer is only Grade Five. They just take agriculture because it doesn't require any degree. The problem nowadays is the low interest of students in entering agricultural related courses. For this reason, the researchers will find out why there are still few students entering the field of agriculture.

METHODS

The researchers used phenomenological design to determine the impression of senior high school students on taking agricultural courses. Purposive sampling from non-probabilistic sampling was used depending on the context of the study.

RESULTS

The factors that affect their decision in choosing agricultural courses as their career is composed of family influence, personal influence, financial stability, employment and salary security, and the capability of doing work. The students' impression in terms of agriculture is that it is a difficult job, the income is low, and they lack knowledge in managing this kind of business. Agriculture is also easy to thosepeople who are used in doing this job. They lose their confidence to do this kind of job because farming requires a lot of efforts. It can be easy if they are already done studying agricultural courses, so they can think of a good way on how to manage this kind of business. On average, most of the students didn't want this kind of career path. It is proven by this research because more students agreed that this kind of job is backbreaking.

DISCUSSIONS

Family has a large contribution in influencing their children in taking the courses related to agriculture. Some students refer to their personal choice, interest, and financial status. Students want assurance that they will be employed and will have a good salary in the future. They are also considering the capital that will be used in starting this career. There are lots of job that is easier than farming, so why would students make it harder for themselves? Through these results, the researchers recommend that the government should support the school to create and promote agricultural courses and encourage the youth to take it knowing the importance of agriculture in the country.