FGD Guide Questions for ESC Parents

Objectives of the FGD

1. To understand the parents’ perspective about the program
2. To document their experience in availing of the program
3. To get their recommendations on improving program implementation

1. Generic introduction

P1 - Michael Dane Alesna Father of Stephanie Grade 7

P2 – Aimee C. Del Mar Mother of Inyaki Paul Grade 7
P3 – Judith Arevalo Mother of June Branden Grade 7
P4 – Marilyn T. Rada Mother of Grade 10 student
P5 – Catherine Gatchalian Mother of Grade 10 student
P6 - Lovella Canen Mother of Noel Canen Grade 8
P7 – Marjorie Arrogante Mother Andrea Grade 8
P8 – Ruena Taneza Mother
P9 – Fitzgerald Amancio Father of Fitzgerald Jr. Grade 9

2. Guide Questions
Discussion Topic 1: Program Theory

What do you think are the objectives of the ESC/V programs?

How are these objectives supposed to be achieved given the program?

Given the existing design of the program, do you think it will achieve the stated objectives? If yes why?
If not, why not?
Do you have suggestions of changing the program design to improve the chances of achieving the
stated objectives? If yes, please describe

Discussion Topic 2: Service Delivery and Utilization

1. Information on ESC
How did you come to know about your child’s eligibility to the ESC program?

Did your child apply for the program before or during enrollment? If not, were you informed by
the school about your child’s eligibility to the program after enrollment? Or some other way?

2. Student School Choice

What information did you receive, if any, in terms of your child’s school options/choices under the
program?
Is the school your child is currently enrolled in his first choice. If not, what were the primary reason
for enrolling your child in this school?
Did the program influence your choice where to enroll your child in JHS? If yes, how? If not, why

3. Experience with enrolling / enlisting for the program

What were the requirements for selection/enlisting into the ESC program?

How was your experience enlisting for the program? Are the procedures clear and easy to comply?

4. Validation experience

Did your child tell you having been ever requested to confirm being an ESC student? If yes, how was it
done (e.g., were they asked to queue)? Describe his/her experience?

5. Comparison relative to other students

Did you child tell you or do you have information from other sources that ESC students are grouped into
sections/classes different from non-ESC students? What was the justification given? Do you agree with
the justification given? If yes, why? If not, why not? How do you feel that your child is grouped in a
different class/section?
When your child came into the program, what was your expectation on your child’s academic
competence and readiness relative to non-ESC students? How do you compare your child today with
the rest of the (non-ESC) students in terms of academic competence and readiness?
What is your sense about your teachers’ perception about your child’s academic competence and
readiness relative to non-ESC students?
What is your sense about your child’s non-ESC school/classmates’ perception about your
child’s academic competence and readiness relative to non-ESC students?

6. Top-up and manner of payment

Where you required to pay “top-up” beyond the value of the subsidy? If yes, please describe the manner
of payment for this “top-up”. Was the amount you actually paid the same as what was mentioned to
you when you enrolled in the school.

7. Remedial Measures

Did you feel the need for your child to do remedial measures for you to catch-up with the rest of
the class (Yes/No)? If yes, was he/she given additional instruction (Yes/No)? If yes, what were these
measures?

8. Incentive Effects of ESC

Did you feel your child was encouraged to perform better in school because of the ESC subsidy he/she is
getting? If yes, how? If not, why not?

9. Satisfaction / Recommendations

Are you satisfied with services your child received compared to what your child need to perform well in
school? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Do you have any recommendations to improve the service delivery of the program?

Discussion Topic 3: Program Organization and Support

Who do you interact/deal with inside the school with regards to your child’s ESC subsidy?

How was your experience in dealing with the people implementing the program (example:
Principal/Finance officer, Registrar)?

Did your child need support to adjust to the new environment? If yes, please describe.

not?

Do you have recommendations on improving the program organization and support?