Sustaining The Implementation and Functions of School to School Partnership: A Basis for a Sustainability Framework

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Education believes that high-performing schools can be an instrument for reform. Through school to school partnership, high performing schools can share their best practices on how they improve their school performance. In line with that, this study attempted to assess the implementation and functions of the school to school partnership in all Public Elementary School, Calamba East District. Specifically, it covered the following sub-topics: 1. Status of School to School Partnership, 2. Challenges encountered during partnership activities, 3. Recommended actions to address the challenges and 4. Sustainability framework that can be proposed.

METHODS

The study used the mixed method of research also known as "Triangulation Method." It is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches that provides more comprehensive data, increased validity and enhanced understanding of research problems. Respondents were categorized into 26 principals and SSP focal person of both leader and partner schools.

RESULTS

The schools involved in the partnership program adhere to the guidelines of the School-to-School Partnership. This implies that all partnership activities were well-planned and have definite goals that were attainable. Principals' responses imply that, "Unaware of the objectives and policy" and "inadequate resources such as materials, technical and human resources that the school needs during proposed partnership activities were the top ranked challenges encountered. On the other hand, teacher's responses revealed that "lack of training, coaching and technical assistance to the schools pertaining to partnership planning, joint problem solving, and resource mobilization" was the top ranked challenges they encountered during the program.

DISCUSSIONS

The School to School Partnership Program in Calamba East District promotes positive outcomes thus, SSP should be sustained and maintained by the school administrators with the support of staff and stakeholders. The principals and focal person should focus on proper orientation and training, planning, coaching and provide technical assistance to the schools’ joint problem solving and resource mobilization and should seek for linkages to sustain resources such as materials, technical and human resources. Schools can use the proposed Sustainability Framework to produce holistic partnership activities that will be useful to uplift school's performance and to deliver quality education.