Practical Implication of the Implementation of the Senior HS Work Immersion Program: Inquiry on Students' Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

SHS-WIP as a new feature of the new curriculum aims to be responsive to the goals of the Department of Education in its desire to make Filipino learners Batang K to 12: Handa sa Trabaho o Kolehiyo, Handa sa Mundo. It aims to orient the Senior HS learners on the relationship of their learned competencies and acquired skills to the present workplace experience, they can further enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitude in making the SHS Curriculum more relevant and meaningful to their context. This study aims to sustain the positive experiences and address the negative ones of the Work Immersion students in LOPEZ NCHS during the actual work immersion training, challenges, and opportunities experienced by the students on their work immersion stations. The key findings in the implementation of its internal guidelines and framework regarding SHS-WIP, a proposed school-wide policy-guidelines.

METHODS

Qualitative method of research using focus group discussion to collect the needed information was used in this study. The study made use of a moderator's guide as the main data gathering instrument which was developed by the researchers. The researcher sought informed consent to the respondent's participation in this research.

RESULTS

WIP exposed the students to the harsh realities of the environment in a workplace, to develop and enhance the work ethics, habits and skills to help them succeed for the rest of their lives. 95% Of the students had an outstanding performance given by partners, that most of the students were ready to work and partners suggested increased immersion hours and policy guidelines in the work immersion process of Lopez National Comprehensive High School.

DISCUSSIONS

Work Immersion opens their eyes and thinking if the chosen field suits them. WIP makes it more realistic and mature enough to deal with the problems encountered. They considered all of the difficulties they have experienced as challenges. WIP gave them opportunities and ideas to decide on what career they are going to take in the near future. It served as a training ground for them and be ready on the possible job. The SHS Work Immersion students deal and cope with the challenges on the implementation of the program were most of the positive ones but they feel challenged. The WIP gave opportunities in their future career path wherein they get to explore the future field in Sciences, Engineering, teaching, psychology, skills courses in the Tech-Voc.