Stakeholders' Perspectives on The Implementation of Senior High School Program in Department of Education Quezon

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The school year 2016 -2017 marked the first year of implementation of Senior High School Program (SHSP) in the Philippines particularly in 166 high schools in the Schools Division of Quezon. Since this is a new thing in the province of Quezon, there were varying perspectives about the program that need to be well examined for more effective implementation of the SHSP through policy formulation. The main concern of this study is to know the stakeholders' perspectives on SHSP implementation in Department of Education (Department of Education) Quezon. It specifically aimed to (1) qualify the implementation of SHSP in Department of Education Quezon as described by the stakeholders; (2) find the perspectives of the participants on the SHSP implementation in Department of Education Quezon; and (3) formulate policy recommendations for the enhancement of SHSP implementation.

METHODS

A descriptive-qualitative method of research was employed in the completion of this research using focus group discussion (FGD) as the method of data collection. Separate FGDs were conducted involving purposively selected eight school heads, eight SHS Coordinators, eight teachers, and eight students. Thematic presentation of qualitative data was used aided with affinity diagram.

RESULTS

This study revealed the following: (1) The implementation of the SHS Program in Department of Education Quezon is considered successful in spite of a number of issues and challenges faced by the stakeholders; (2) Despite the challenges encountered by the stakeholders of Department of Education Quezon, they remain hopeful that the program will become very successful because of the actions taken by the school officials with the leadership of the school heads; and (3) based on the study's findings, the policy recommendations were formulated to address the challenges encountered by Department of Education Quezon schools in the implementation of SHSP.

DISCUSSIONS

To ensure more effective implementation of the SHS Program in Department of Education Quezon, there is a need to implement a local research-based policy that would address the following concerns: inadequate school facilities and equipment, low level of awareness about the SHS Program, management of students' attendance, distribution of teaching loads and other assignments, schedule of classes, supervision of instruction, and management of co-curricular activities. The researchers' policy recommendations for the enhancement of the SHSP may be discussed with the Schools Division Superintendent for her comments, recommendations and approval. Effective dissemination of the formulated policy should be considered to ensure that 166 school heads fully understand the crafted policy. Report on the implementation of the newly implemented policy should be required to all public schools offering SHSP in Department of Education Quezon.