HORIZONTAL DEPLOYMENT: THE PLIGHT OF BTVTED GRADUATES TEACHING CORE SUBJECTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TAGUM CITY, PHILIPPINES

Authors

  • Harold P. Almendras Professional Schools, University of Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines
  • Joa H. Jao Professional Schools, University of Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i4.6622

Keywords:

education, out-of-field teaching, phenomenology, BTVTED graduates, Philippines

Abstract

This paper aimed to discern the lived experience of BTVTED graduates handling core academic subjects in public secondary schools, empirically identify the challenges, adaptive strategies, and insights that would add to the growing body of knowledge in out-of-field teaching. This study examined the lived experiences of 12 BTVTED graduates, selected via purposive sampling, using a phenomenological approach and Colaizzi's six-step descriptive method. The researchers used a two-pronged approach to gather data and obtain these opinions: five participants participated in a focus group discussion (FGD), and the remaining seven provided in-depth interviews (IDI) to provide in-depth viewpoints. The data emerged 13 themes: pedagogical adjustment difficulties, systemic curriculum-related challenges, gaps in content mastery; professional identity struggles and self-doubt; pressure from student expectations; resourcefulness and continuous learning; leveraging technology and digital tools; adapting Tech-Voc approaches to core subjects; collaborative and peer-supported strategies; intensive lesson preparation and adaptation; flexibility and professional identity transformation; pedagogical growth and enhanced effectiveness; and system-level insights and reflective practice. These suggest that peer mentoring and seminars, the formal integration of adaptive strategies through training, and an intensive review of DepEd's hiring and deployment guidelines are key recommendations to address this phenomenon. Moreover, future research studies on this topic may be conducted in various dimensions to explore the broader prevalence of this phenomenon.

Author Biographies

  • Harold P. Almendras, Professional Schools, University of Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines

    Harold P. Almendras is a Teacher I in the Senior High School Department at Tagum National Trade School within the DepEd Tagum City Division. He is a candidate for the degree of Master of Arts in Education (Technology and Livelihood Education).

  • Joa H. Jao, Professional Schools, University of Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines

    Joa H. Jao is Associate Professor I and the Program Head of the Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTED) program of UM Digos College.

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Published

2026-03-30

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