A PERCEIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF E-WALLETS AS FORM OF PAYMENT AMONG GRADE 12 STUDENTS

Abstract

The growing use of e-wallets has significantly transformed the way financial transactions are conducted, especially among younger populations. E-wallets, or digital wallets, provide a fast, convenient, and cashless means of payment, enabling users to complete transactions through mobile devices. This technological shift has been particularly evident among senior high school students, who are increasingly integrating digital tools into their daily routines.  Among Grade 12 students, e-wallets are commonly used for a variety of purposes such as purchasing school supplies, food, transportation, and online shopping. As digital financial platforms continue to evolve, it is essential to assess how effectively these tools meet the needs of student users.  This study aims to explore the perceived effectiveness of e-wallets as a mode of payment among Grade 12 students. Specifically, it investigates their perceptions regarding convenience, accessibility, security, and overall user satisfaction. The findings of this research may contribute to a deeper understanding of students' digital financial behaviors and support efforts to enhance financial literacy and responsible e-wallet usage. This study utilized a descriptive research design to examine the perceived effectiveness of e-wallets as a payment method among Grade 12 students. Data were gathered through a structured survey questionnaire distributed to 50 respondents selected from various academic strands, including STEM, HUMSS, GAS, ICT, and ABM. The responses were measured using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from Strongly Disagree (1) to Strongly Agree (5). The collected data were statistically analyzed using the weighted mean to determine the overall perception of the respondents regarding the effectiveness of e-wallets. The results of the study reveal that Grade 12 students show a moderate preference for using e-wallets as a mode of payment. The analysis of various e-wallet platforms, including G Cash, Hello Money, Pay Maya, PayPal, and Grab Pay, yielded a grand mean of 3.43, indicating a neutral to slightly positive level of usage and perception among respondents.  In terms of the frequency of e-wallet usage, the computed grand mean of 3.40 also suggests a neutral to slightly positive response. This implies that while e-wallets are not used by students daily, they are still utilized regularly for specific transactions such as mobile reloading, food purchases, and online shopping.  Lastly, the perceived quality of e-wallet transactions, which includes aspects such as convenience, speed, and security, received a grand mean of 3.46. This again reflects a neutral to slightly positive perception among the respondents. Overall, the findings suggest that e-wallets are moderately accepted and utilized by Grade 12 students, with a generally favorable outlook on their effectiveness and convenience. Moreover, e-wallets such as Hello Money, Pay Maya, PayPal, Grab Pay, and especially G Cash are perceived by Grade 12 students as secure, efficient, and easy to use, making them effective tools for managing daily payments and various financial transactions.