Theoretical Framework

The legal basis for this study can be observed in the DepEd Memorandum No.

89, s.2015 and in Senate Bill no. 869, s.2016. The DepEd Memorandum is also known

as the “Implementation of the Department of Education (DepEd) funded Gulayan sa

Paaralan Program (GPP) for school year (SY) 2015 - 2016. In coordination with the

Department of Agriulture - Bureau of Plant Industry, this program is directed in

addressing malnutrition and hunger by promoting the production of protein,

carbohydrates and vitamins - rich food as a major input to school feeding. It is also

stated that the TLE/EPP (Technology and Livelihood Education/Edukasyon sa

Pagpapakatao) supervisors are the ones who will lead in orienting their respective

schools about the said program. The said department may also invite technical experts

coming from the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Internation

Institute for Rural Reconstruction, or the Local Agriculture office to conduct training to

teachers involved. Later mandates and memoranda have also included the Science

supervisors in the conduct of orientation of the”Gulayan sa Paaralan Program”.

The Senate Bill known as the “Integrated Urban Agriculture Act of 2016”.

mandates the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, and

Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the academic community to

promote urban agricultural development in the country’s metropolitan areas by

developing a research agenda on urban agriculture and vertical farming as an

instrument to address food security. Cooperation with the Local Government Units is

certain in order to use idle/abandoned government lots and buildings owned or

available land resources of state universities and colleges for growing crops and

producing food using the said method. Both of the mandates are gearing towards the
integration of urban gardening and vertical farming into the curricula of the secondary

and tertiary levels of education.

Research Design
The study will employ a phenomenological approach in obtaining data.

Phenomenological approach is used to describe experiences that an individual has lived

depending on his situation or current condition. Each person has its own reality which is

subjective. This flexibility does not limit the researcher to be creative in gathering the

data needed for the study.

Sampling Method

The researchers use purposive sampling method as the technique for selecting

respondents. The researchers will conduct an interview to the selected public schools

that used to have a hydroponics set - up.

Research Instrument

The instrument used was a researcher-made questionnaire and a structured

interview to gather relevant information. A questionnaire was used as the main - data

gathering instrument for this study. The draft of the questionnaire was drawn out based

on the researchers’ readings, previous studies and published articles that are relevant to

the study. Structured interview is the method for collecting qualitative data. It is

conducted by asking the interviewee predetermined set of questions as specified in the

guide questions. Responses made by the interviewee are recorded which assures the

comparability of the data to other responses.

Procedure

Collecting of Data

The researcher will schedule visits to selected school heads to present the

purpose of the study and ask for permision to conduct an interview. The interview will

be done on the most convinient time by the respondents and will not hinder the working

hours of the respondents. Copy of the questionnaires will be given to the respondents

for their perusal.

Validation of Questions

The researchers will consult an expert or people who understand hydroponics to

validate the questionnaire to see if its in line with the study. Also, a grammar expert is

consulted to check the questionnaire for common errors like double - barreled or

leading questions.

Implementation Stage

The researchers will set a date to visit the selected public schools to do the

structured interview and recording of responses.

Post - Implementation Stage

After completing all the procedures and data gathering, the researchers will

synthesize and interpret the responses based on the guide questions. The themes that

were assigned to each research questions were: Origin, Set - up, End product,

Perception, Problems, Cessations and Solutions. The literature review will help the

researchers in the interpretation of data.