A Tracer Study of Junior High School Completers: Basis for Additional Senior High School Strand

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Tracer study is an approach which is widely used in most organizations especially in educational institutions. The tracer study tracks and keep record of their students once they have graduated from the institution. Through the tracer study, an institution would be able to evaluate the quality of education given to their graduates. As a senior high school coordinator, the proponent understands the significance of enrolment rate to the successful operation of the school. During the first year of implementation of the SHS Curriculum, there were only one hundred nineteen (119) enrollees of this institution. Fortunately, the enrolment increased the following school year to tow hundred forty-nine (249). For the current SY (SY 2018-2019), only 183 students out of 629 completers enrolled in this institution. This is quite alarming since only 31% of the completers preferred to enroll in this school.

METHODS

This study used the snowball sampling procedure in which the completers were tracked down through referral from faculty members, friends and family of respondents, Facebook accounts and other social networking were also used to locate respondents. Proper dialogue was held with the persons concerned and approval was sought from the proper authorities before this action research was proposed.

RESULTS

Based on the results, the top three choices of Junior High School completers from IMINHS are STEM, GAS and HUMSS. The following are the feedbacks and suggestions of Grade 10 completers on improvement of the competitive edge of SHS department specially its track/strand offering:

Although the competencies acquired and competencies required seem relatively comparable as per findings, the latter exceeds all the time. That means, the school should upgrade the curricula in order to produce graduates that will entirely fit the labor market requirements.

The institution should revisit the best strategy of marketing its graduates. The recent symposium/recruitment seminars are not the best advertising medium for the completers.

DISCUSSIONS

Based from the results of the study, strands such as STEM and HUMSS must be offered as additional strands sothat the objective of increasing the enrolment rate of the senior high school department will be attained. Students tend to transfer to private schools since these strands are not offered by this institution. Furthermore, career guidance program should also be intensified so that completers will be guided on the skills which will best suit their capabilities.