Status, Issues, and Challenges of Field Technical Assistance Program among Secondary Teachers in a Department of Education School Division

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Technical assistance is deemed necessary to ensure effective programs implementation and eventually achievement of higher or better learning outcomes. With this, the researcher came up with the idea of determining the status, issues and challenges of field technical assistance provided to secondary school teachers of the Division of Quezon that will serve as basis for designing an action program for greater accessibility of the Technical Assistance Program within the schools in the Division of Quezon.

METHODS

The researcher utilized mixed method research design since both quantitative and qualitative approaches were needed to answer the sub-problems of this study. Data were obtained also by employing a researcher-made survey questionnaire. For the qualitative part of the study, the researcher employed narrative approach since the researcher in gathering data used an in-depth interview using an interview protocol.

RESULTS

There were issues of concerns when it came to management expectations particularly on the level of awareness of the external stakeholders' rights and responsibilities on school-based management practices. There were also issues in motivation and incentive factors and capacity of the technical assistance coordinator to make linkages, show knowledge in fiscal management and prepare school procurement and budget. Lastly, for environment support, there was a need for functional support of the external stakeholders and closer relationship to local government officials. The challenges experienced by the implementer and recipients of the field technical assistance were: failure to provide inputs to improve the overall management and operations, lack of initiative to create programs/projects towards the increase and improvement of the school-based management practices, need enhancement of school practices and operations, proper designation for training delivery and accessibility of the program to all school teachers. Though there is the attainment of the majority of objectives of the Field Technical Assistance, still there were barriers that hindered the effective implementation of the said program.

DISCUSSIONS

There is a need to develop standards and indicators that will measure the progress and impact of the field technical assistance. Design an action plan that will address issues concerning management expectations, motivation and incentive factors, building capacity, resources needed, policy and environment support.