Enhancing Instructional Competencies of Public Secondary School Teachers in the Division of LIPA: Basis for an Action Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Improvement in teaching and learning has always been at the forefront of the educational agenda. Ensuring its effectiveness and improvement challenge our educational leaders, particularly in the area of instruction. Nowadays, school heads have observed problems in enhancing teachers' instructional competencies.

METHODS

The researcher employed a descriptive quantitative method to assess the level of teachers' instructional competence. The researcher used a questionnaire lifted from the Teacher Observation Guide for Instructional Competence through the Competency -Based Performance Appraisal for School Teachers (CB -PAST). The respondents of the study are fifteen (15) school heads and two hundred twenty-three (223) randomly selected teachers which comprise 30% of the total teachers' population in the Division of Lipa City.

RESULTS

Results revealed that respondents' age had an impact in the instructional performance of both school heads and teachers. Few of them have enrolled in postgraduate courses which affected their instructional competence in terms of giving professional assistance and of delivering classroom instructions. Both answered that it is very significant to treat the diversity of learners according to their specific needs and limitations. Both possessed level of instructional competence in terms of content and pedagogy. Teachers were proficient in their behavior in actual teaching. They also perceived themselves as possessing high proficiency in doing their respective tasks in planning, assessing and reporting learners' outcomes. School heads played a significant role in the teachers' effective delivery of instructional competence among the learners which meant that a competent school head produced competent teachers, which in turn molded competent and skilled learners. As a result, school heads influenced student learning by developing a clear mission that provides an instructional focus for teachers through undergoing instructional supervision.

DISCUSSIONS

Managerial posts in the Division of Lipa specifically in public secondary level were handled mostly by female school heads. The teaching profession is dominated by female teachers. School heads have a clear understanding on the importance of time management as teachers need to consider the best procedures on how instructional materials would become effective and relevant for the learners. The teachers further agreed that learners need to develop their critical thinking skills. The adoption of appropriate and suitable instructional approaches of the teachers can contribute a lot to its development. Application and utilization of technological instruments and gadgets in teaching led to immediate and fast delivery of the lessons. Both of them have encountered diverse learners and they understood and considered important indicators to treat them. Different group of respondents differed in perceptions which can be attributed to their different levels of concern and governance.