Professional Qualities and Internal Stakeholders' Participation as Relevant to the Performance of Guidance Counselors in the Public Elementary Schools Cluster 3, Division of Laguna

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Education (DEped) stated, "the schools have been the second home for all”.It is the child's first sanctuary where he can explore and learn the basics of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. It is also where pupils express their concerns and frustrations, explore their own identities and seek solutions to the challenges that faces them in their ever-expanding personal lives. The guidance counselor plays a vital role in the total development of the child. The major function of the school counselor is to develop all the students with growth in self-understanding, interpersonal skills,communication skills, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. They extend all efforts to upgrade the achievement level and competencies of guidance counselor through professional growth and development.The study aimed to assess the professional qualities and internal stakeholders' participation as relevant to the guidance counselor in the basic guidance services. 1.What are the professional qualities of the respondent in terms of the following, Training in Guidance & counseling on latest related legislations, Length of service as Guidance Counselor/Coordinator, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, and Access to information technology (trend and issues on students’ rights and discipline) 2. What roles do the internal stakeholders play in the implementation of Guidance Services in Students, Teachers and School Personnel and Principals? 3. What is the level of performance of the Guidance Counselors in the implementation of Guidance Services? 4. What are the professional qualities can be significantly improve the level of performance of guidance counselor in the implementation of guidance services? 5. What roles of the internal stakeholders can be significantly improved the level of performance of guidance counselor in the implementation of guidance services?

METHODS

The study would focus on the professional qualities and internal stakeholders' participation as relevant to the performance of the guidance counselor in the guidance services. The respondents are 50 public elementary guidance counselors/coordinators in cluster 3, Division of Laguna S.Y. 2017-1018. The research designed was descriptive in nature. Questionnaire-checklist was the main research tool. Purposive sampling was used as sampling technique. Weighted mean, and Person's r was utilizedas statistical instruments.

RESULTS

Professional qualities that can significantly improve the level of performance of guidance counselor in the implementation of guidance services, On the Level of Performance of Guidance Counselor in the Implementation of Guidance Services, as shown by the result of the Pearson's r. 0.01, the decision was to reject Ho. Therefore, there are no professional qualities can be significantly improve the level of performance of guidance counselor in the implementation of guidance services. Internal stakeholders’ roles that can significantly improve the level of performance of guidance counselor in the implementation of guidance services, On the Level of Performance of Guidance Counselor in the Implementation of Guidance Services,as shown by the result of the Pearson's r 0.01 hence, the decision was to reject Ho. Therefore, there are no internal stakeholders roles can be significantly improve the level of performance of guidance counselors in the implementation of guidance services.

DISCUSSIONS

The result of the study could help the school to forge better school-community relations by empowering the community and other stakeholders in terms of planning, directing, and implementation of programs, projects, and activities of the school. Through this study, they would have a clearer concept of the effective guidance program and services in their respective schools. The teachers would be more enlightened on the need for collaborative efforts among them and with their school guidance counselor cared towards a good working relationship.