Conquering the Obstacles: Challenges Faced By Grade 12 Home Economics Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

When the K-12 Program was established, another two years were added to the years spent in high school. According to Kelly Fontaine, a senior high school is a place where soft-skills or the attitude of each student is developed and trained form them to be more mature. However, Senior High School is not just another addition of experience. It was created with more subjects, similar to those of college-level along with major studies related to one's chosen course. These may lead to more struggles with students. With this, this study highlighted the challenges home economics students face as graduating students.

METHODS

This study utilized the phenomenological research design wherein records of lived experiences of people are used as data. The study employed the said method using the interview technique. This study had five participants who were chosen through purposive sampling.

RESULTS

From the data gathered and the results obtained, the researcher had come up with the following findings: The students faced different challenges on thesis or research writing, especially with reluctant cooperation of teammates, financial incapability, thoughts of forgoing due to build-up of problems in the surrounding environment, leading to negligence of the students' selves. But due to different factors namely motivational influences, the aid of teachers, prioritization, benefits, and advantages of research writing such as encouragement to oneself, growing maturely, dealing with conflicts, and conquering the urge to quit, the students were able to cope with the obstacles.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: students find a thesis or research writing to be one of the most challenging obstacles they have faced, due to lack of knowledge, absence of teachers, and reluctant cooperation of teammates. Also, because of the overwhelming number of activities and projects, the students have started to neglect not only themselves but also their surrounding relationships. The school fees due to extra-curricular activities, laboratories, and projects had led to additional financial needs of the students. It can also be concluded that the concern of people around them and their passion to succeed and reach for their dreams has taken a huge role in the coping against the challenges they have faced as Grade 12 Home Economics students.