COURSE PREFERENCES OF THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING STUDENTS IN TADIAN AND BAUKO, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
(Geraldine L. Madjaco )

ABSTRACT

Data gathered from the graduating students of the ten secondary schools in Bauko and Tadian, Mountain Province revealed that these students preferred to enroll in Criminology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Nursing, Information Technology, Secondary Education, and Commerce because these courses are in line with their interests. The study further revealed that the levels of choice of the courses of the graduating high school students revolved around these six courses. The offering of these courses in the campus is then recommended, and for MPSPC administration to invest more resources in improving these courses in order to attract more enrollees.

INTRODUCTION

Education is considered the best investment for every Filipino family. Filipino parents desire to have their children finish not only basic education but also college education. Sadly though, pursuing education has its various challenges.

Statistics shows that for every 100 Filipino children that enter Grade 1, only 43 finish high school. Out of these 43, only 33 enter the tertiary education sector – 23 for Higher Education and 10 for Technical-Vocational courses. Of these 33, only 21 get to graduate – 14 for Higher Education and 7 for Technical-Vocational course (Neri, 2007). This scenario is indeed a concern that the Commission on Higher Education is trying to resolve in line with one of its major mandates which is access to quality education.

Said mandate was adopted as one of the major goals of Mountain Province State Polytechnic College from the time it was created in 1992 by virtue of Republic Act No. 7182. With this mandate, various degree programs have been added through its years of operation. As of now, there are more than 20 programs from which students can choose and enroll in. Inevitably, the increase in course offerings was followed by increase in enrolment. This is especially true in the Bontoc Campus. However, with the limited space in Bontoc Campus, enrolment increase has become a concern.

For the Tadian Campus, records from the Registrar’s Office show that increase in enrolment remained slight for the past five years, notwithstanding the transfer of the College of Forestry from Mount Data to Tadian. A major reason for the slight increase in enrolment is the limited number of programs offered in the campus.

While Bontoc Campus is offering programs that attract students like Criminology and Business Administration, the Tadian Campus does not offer such courses. Thus, the desires and plans to offer said two courses will increase its enrolment, at the same time will help decongest Bontoc Campus. This will also maximize resources (human and physical), that helps in the realization of the “access and equity” and “quality and excellence” goals of the college.
Tadian Campus cannot, however, push through with the plan without conducting a survey, especially to feeder high schools which are located in the municipalities of Tadian and Bauko. This is to determine whether it is reasonable to offer said courses in the campus or not. At the same time, other courses that can be possibly offered will be ascertained. Thus, there is the need for this study.