Challenges of Senior High School Teachers: Basis for Personal and Administrative Intervention Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The full launch of the K to 12 Program in 2016 resulted in the opening of senior high schools in the country. With this, the Department of Education also opened its doors to aspiring teachers. Qualified applicants began their teaching career with the hope of fulfilling their dreams and making themselves part of the Philippine education sector. With the qualification standards set by the department, the accommodated senior high school teachers have varied backgrounds, motivations, experiences and preparation levels. They have high expectations for themselves and for their students. Those from the junior high school expected that they have more mature students.

METHODS

To gather the necessary data, the researchers used questionnaires, interviews and observation as the sources of information. Two hundred seven (207) SHS teachers in the province of Batangas during the school year 2017-2018 were selected as respondents in this study. The instrument used to gather data was adopted from the instrument developed and used by Samson (2007) on the problems and difficulties encountered by students during student teaching. It was customized to be suited for senior high school teachers where majority are non-education graduates and do not have any teaching experience.

RESULTS

Respondents identified the following challenges in their teaching profession: selecting activities to carry out the different parts of the lesson, identifying technique to be employed in pacing the activities properly, using a variety of materials, maintaining interest of students, making effective introduction and motivation, excessive stress in doing the tasks, lack of skills in directing appropriate questions to students of different abilities, some students benefit greatly from group activities and others do not, students' inability to perform/achieve to expected level, and students' lack of basic communication skills.

DISCUSSIONS

These challenges faced by senior high school teachers can be best addressed through the support of their school heads since they are the ones that are in closest contact to them. The school head may lead an intervention program that will focus on instructional delivery and diversity of learners since the study revealed that these are the aspects which the teachers find most challenging.