INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEACHERS’ COMPETENCE, PREPAREDNESS, AND THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Authors

  • Marjorie B. Cabigas Tangke National High School, Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines
  • Jemelyn V. Rallos Looc Norte Elementary School, Asturias, Cebu, Philippines
  • Miguel Lorenzo A. Delima Zapatera Elementary School, Philippines
  • Jamaica Amor Abella Zapatera Elementary School, Philippines
  • Melotte Marina Z. Kintanar Argao National High School, Philippines
  • Ruby Rose P. Zambrano Argao National High School, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v11i6.6389

Keywords:

general education teachers, competence, preparedness, attitudes, inclusive education

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of teachers’ competence and preparedness on their attitudes toward inclusive education at the identified public elementary schools implementing inclusion in Cebu, Philippines, using a descriptive-correlational design. The respondents of the study were the 311 general education teachers who were identified using simple random sampling and answered the adopted survey questionnaires. The data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s r. The results showed that the teachers were generally competent and had positive attitudes toward inclusive education. Moreover, the teachers are prepared in handling inclusive classes in terms of their psychological abilities and skills, but are moderately prepared in terms of their physical resources. The correlation analysis showed a negligible positive significant relationship between competence and attitudes, and a weak positive significant relationship between preparedness and attitudes. Hence, it is recommended that school administrators address teachers’ professional needs by providing adequate knowledge, skills, resources, and support to promote greater confidence and commitment to inclusive education.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Marjorie B. Cabigas, Tangke National High School, Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines

    Marjorie B. Cabigas is an educator with nearly seventeen years of service in the Department of Education, Talisay City Division. She holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics from Cebu Normal University (2007). She further pursued her passion for teaching and professional development by earning a Master of Arts in Education major in Mathematics (Cebu Technological University, 2024), followed by a Diploma in Special Education (Cebu Technological University, 2025). She is also completing her Master of Arts in Education major in Special Education, also at Cebu Technological University (2025), strengthening her commitment to inclusive education. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated dedication to both academic excellence and learner-centered instruction. She has participated in research projects, including the study “Using Information and Communication Technology on Students’ Mathematics Performance in National High Schools in the Philippines,” which is available through Google Scholar. Her work reflects her advocacy for improving mathematics education, integrating technology in instruction, and supporting diverse learners through specialized and inclusive teaching practices.

  • Jemelyn V. Rallos, Looc Norte Elementary School, Asturias, Cebu, Philippines

    Ruby Rose Zambrano is a dedicated educator who has been serving in the Department of Education, Cebu Province, for almost nine years. Throughout her teaching career, she has remained committed to helping students build confidence in mathematics while fostering a learning environment that is compassionate and inclusive. She earned her Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Mathematics from the University of the Visayas in 2013. Continuing her passion for professional growth, she completed the academic requirements for the Master of Arts in Education major in Mathematics at Cebu Technological University. Her interest in supporting diverse learners led her to pursue specialization in the field of special education, completing her Diploma in Special Education in 2025 and her Master of Arts in Education major in Special Education in the same year. Her journey reflects her belief that every learner deserves opportunities to thrive, regardless of their abilities or challenges. Her dedication, strengthened by both experience and continuous study, showcases her commitment to creating meaningful and empowering learning experiences for all students.

  • Miguel Lorenzo A. Delima, Zapatera Elementary School, Philippines

    Jemelyn V. Rallos is a passionate educator from Cebu Province with over nine years of experience in the Department of Education, along with a year of teaching in a private elementary school. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, major in Mathematics from the University of the Visayas in 2013 and went on to complete her Master’s in Education, major in Mathematics at Cebu Technological University in 2019. Driven by her love for inclusive education, she further pursued a Diploma and Master’s in Special Education, both completed in 2025 at Cebu Technological University. She believes that every child can learn and succeed when given the right guidance and support. She is dedicated to creating meaningful, caring, and engaging learning experiences for all her students.

  • Jamaica Amor Abella, Zapatera Elementary School, Philippines

    Melotte Marina Z. Kintanar is a passionate educator from Cebu Province with nine years of experience in the Department of Education and a year of teaching high school in a private school. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, major in Home Economics Technology from the University of the Visayas in 2014 and completed her academic requirements for a Master in Vocational Education at Cebu Technological University. Her love for inclusive education inspired her to pursue a Diploma in Special Education in 2024 and a Master of Arts in Education, major in Special Education in 2025, both from Cebu Technological University. She is committed to creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

  • Melotte Marina Z. Kintanar, Argao National High School, Philippines

    Jamaica Amor Abella is a devoted educator from Cebu City with over 11 years of experience teaching in the Department of Education and a year of experience as a playgroup teacher. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Cebu Technological University in 2008 and went on to complete her Master of Arts in Education, major in Administration and Supervision in 2017. She has also pursued Doctoral studies in Developmental Education at Cebu Technological University. Committed to inclusive education, Jamaica further pursued a Diploma in Special Education in 2024 and a Master of Arts in Education, major in Special Education in 2025, both from Cebu Technological University. With a genuine passion for nurturing young learners, she strives to create supportive and engaging learning environments where every child is empowered to grow, learn, and succeed.

  • Ruby Rose P. Zambrano, Argao National High School, Philippines

    Miguel Lorenzo A. Delima is a committed and passionate educator from Cebu City with four years of experience in the Department of Education and two years as an elementary school teacher in the private sector. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of San Carlos in 2017 and completed his Master of Arts in Education, major in Administration and Supervision at Cebu Technological University in 2024. With a strong dedication to inclusive education, Miguel pursued a Diploma in Special Education in 2024 and a Master of Arts in Education, major in Special Education in 2025, both from Cebu Technological University. He is committed to creating learning spaces where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

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Published

2025-11-17

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 6 (2025)

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