CAREER GUIDANCE PROGRAM: ITS EFFECT TO THE CAREER CHOICE OF GRADE 10 STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOLS DIVISION OF BATANES

DELIA D. BLACER

Education Program Supervisor

Schools Division of Batanes

The research evaluated the effectiveness of the Career Guidance Program on the choice of track and strand of the SHS entrants during SY 2017-2018. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: (1) Is there any significant advantage of the Career Guidance Program to the choice of track and strand of the SHS entrants?; (2) What are the factors that hindered the SHS entrants to pursue their track and strand of preference?; and (3) What are the issues and concerns encountered by the Career Guidance Advocates in the implementation of the Program?. This research employed qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was collected from the eight (8) secondary schools in the Division of Batanes using survey questionnaire. Aside from this, the researcher also conducted informal interview with the CGP implementers to solicit their perceptions on the issues and concerns they encountered as implementers. Data on the list of registered tracks and strands of the Senior High Schools within the division was also secured from the SGOD-Planning Unit. Results show that there is a slight significant advantage to the career choice of the students after the conduct of Career Guidance Program advocacies and that the unavailability of the track and strands of students’ preferences in the Senior High Schools within the division, mismatch of their abilities, interest, IQ level and time management requirement of the track and strand of their preference were the reasons why students did not take their preferred career choice. It is also noted that the very limited time allotted to the Career Guidance activities, lacking of necessary equipment and other resources intended for CGP, weak cooperation and participation of the students, and the lack of necessary skills and background competencies of new CGP advocates are the reasons why the Career Guidance program is not implemented fully and well. The researcher recommends that the secondary schools with SHS should request additional track and strand offerings. Career Guidance activities should be given enough time, some of the activities in the modules should be enhanced or contextualized, needed equipment and materials should be made sufficient and the CGP implementers must be well capacitated

Keywords: career, guidance, senior high school, CGP, Batanes, basic research