Bridging the Gap: Unpacking the Competencies of Bataan Peninsula State University Dinalupihan Campus’ Bachelor of Elementary Education Graduates as Basis for Extension Programs

Abstract

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions in the lives of people all over the world and the herculean challenge was how to continue teaching and learning beyond the usual face-to-face instruction, hence the release of CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) 04, series of 2020 containing the Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Learning. The aim of this study is to determine whether the Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) program graduates of Bataan Peninsula State University Dinalupihan Campus (BPSU-DC) Batch 2022 have fulfilled the requirements outlined in CMO No. 74 series of 2017 (Policies, Standards and Guidelines for BEEd Program), while adhering to CMO 04 series of 2020 guidelines. This study uses the convergent parallel design in which quantitative and qualitative data are collected simultaneously but analyzed separately, and the results are merged or integrated and allow for the collection of rich, detailed data and provides a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. The result of the quantitative and qualitative analysis indicates that the least learned competencies of the BEEd graduates include the Skills in Communication, Higher Order Thinking Skills, Use of Tools and Technology to Accelerate Learning and Teaching, Utilizing Appropriate Assessment and Evaluation Tools, In-depth Understanding of Learners in various learning areas and that they need to improve their competencies in terms of Personal and Professional Development. Significant difference is not evident in terms of In-depth Understanding of Learners; Pedagogical Content Knowledge; Assessment and Evaluation; Communication, Higher Order Thinking, and Technology; Attributes of Model Teacher; Personal and Professional Development; thus, failing to reject the null hypothesis. The analysis's conclusion also suggests that the BEEd graduates' self-evaluations align with those of their cooperating teachers and coordinators, confirming the graduates' actual and true level of competency. Based on the results of the analysis, the following are suggested as Contextualized Input in Aid for development of Extension Program: Mentor-Mentee engagement, Personal Engagement in Learning, On-the-Job Training (OJT), Attending Training Seminars, Practicing for Improvement. Of the 122 respondents, 62 are the BEEd graduates-respondents, while 60 are Cooperating Teachers and Coordinators.