Monitoring the Senior High School Track and School Preference of Grade-10 Students of the Punta Integrated School: A Tool for Increasing Enrollment Rates

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The primary focus of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum is to develop learners the competencies, skills, values relevant to pursuing further education and/ or joining the world of work. To achieve greater congruence between basic education and the nation's development targets. Under the K to 12 Voucher Program, Junior High School completers can enroll in either public or private schools of their choice, for any reason this gives the indication that many of them would prefer to enroll outside public schooling. The Punta Integrated School is one of the 11 pioneers of Senior High School implementers in the Division of Calamba City. Currently, the school offers Academic Track with two strands (GAS and ABM), and with two strands in Technical-Vocational , these are ICT and Bread and Pastry). For two consecutive years since the implementation of the Senior High School, there is an average of 33. 61% enrolment in the year 2015-2016 and 38. 77% last S. Y 2016-2017. Meaning there is more than half of the population of the Junior High School completers who enrolled outside their homeschool.

METHODS

This study would make use of descriptive survey method of research to gather the information of three hundred fifty-nine (359) Grade 10 students of Punta Integrated School about their preferred track and school in Grade11.

RESULTS

Academic Track is the most preferred among PIS participants and General Academic Strand (GAS) as the most favored strand followed by ABM and HUMMS while Home Economics and ICT are the most favored in Tech Voc. They were the one who decides for themselves in choosing the track. Another strong consideration is their skills, knowledge inclination. Private institution outnumbered the public schools when it comes to school choice in the Senior High School because of the Voucher Program.

DISCUSSIONS

The results revealed the need of the school to offer senior high school track that is mostly preferred by Grade 10 students to prevent leavers. There is a strong call for the institution to listen in the voice of the customer (students) to better serve them. With a minimal monthly income of the parents of these students, they cannot afford to go for private schooling even there is a Voucher Program. Expenses incurred in private schooling can hinder them to finish their senior high school.