PANDEMIC-PROOFING THE SCHOOLS: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SCHOOL HEADS

Purpose: The researchers were enthused to do this study to underscore the lived experiences of school heads in the district of Trece Martires City towards the implementation of BE-LCP specifically their predicaments, prospects, and desired assistance moving forward.
Design/methodology/approach: The schools’ suggestions for policy recommendations and operationalization sections of the submitted BE-LCP reports among the secondary school heads in the district were subjected to thematic analysis.
Findings: Based on the qualitative data analyzed the following are the challenges faced among the school heads in implementing the BE-LCP: (1) financial insufficiency, (2) bulk of reports, (3) limited stakeholders’ support, and (4) limited instructional resources. Meanwhile, opportunities they met to overcome such challenges include the following: (1) collaboration, (2) planning and review, (3) strong communication, and (4) transparency. Results also revealed the following themes as the school heads’ desired support program: (1) increasing fund allocation, (2) enhancing collaboration among Stakeholders, and (3) effective planning and Implementation.
Research limitations/implications: This study is focused only on determining the school heads’ encountered LCP-related problems and exploring the opportunities. Thus, examining other factors affecting LCP implementation is a must. More so, since the study was conducted in the first year of LCP implementation and during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the environment, and the time element might affect the study findings, hence, a similar study may be conducted.
Originality/value: The Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan or BE-LCP has been operationalized by the Department of Education as a response to the COVID-19 global pandemic that threatened the basic rights of every Filipino learner to quality education. Its implementation on the ground is an entirely new experience among school heads.
Keywords: lived experiences, BE-LCP implantation, policy, program, support
Want to replicate/adapt/cite this research? Let us know by filling out this link: bit.ly/CaviteUtilization1