RESEARCH: Chapter 1

Research Objectives:

● To help Grade 10 students in EBNHS to know what strand they want for Senior High

School

● To help them choose the strand that matches their interest

1.1INTRODUCTION

In order to keep up with other countries in terms of knowledge and competence in different

fields, the Philippines has adopted the K to 12 learning program, which has been the standard

education system in other countries for quite some time now. The said program aims to

enhance the quality of learning of students by adding 2 years to the secondary education level.

The additional 2 years are called Senior High School (SHS), in which students will be allowed to

choose a particular track that is related to the field or profession that they wish to pursue in the

future. Choosing a senior high school strand is one of the most challenging decisions Grade 10

students in EBNHS will have to face.

Making a correct career choice is one of the major decisions of Grade 10 students in

EBNHS in their academic and personal life. For those students who are influenced by

parents, guardians, teachers, friends, peers and many others, it is difficult because

there are many factors to consider especially for the first batch of Grades 11 and 12, in
which the K-12 program is fully implemented. As we all know that the current system of

education in the Philippines is difficult due to the COVID-19, education issues in the Philippines

have increased and received new challenges that worsened the current state of the country.

With the sudden events brought about by the health crisis, distance learning modes via the

Internet were ordered. Furthermore, a blended learning program was launched in October

2020, which involves online classes, printouts, and lessons broadcast on TV and social

platforms. Thus, the new learning pathways rely on students and teachers having access to the

Internet. It’s key to note that equipped schools have more chances to use various ways to deal

with the new concerns for remote learning. This further shows the contrasts in resources and

training for both K-12 and tertiary levels both for private and public schools. The current

education system in the Philippines is composed of kindergarten and 12 years of basic

education and students also have the option to enroll in higher education programs to earn a

baccalaureate degree. Also Choosing a track is critical for making a student highly proficient in

the field where his or her chosen track is related to. The current curriculum has been enhanced

for K to 12 and now gives more focus to allow mastery of learning. The K to 12 system aims to

improve Filipino students' skills in mathematics, science, and linguistics to further exhibit

competence in the global job market. With the new curriculum, the Department of Education

promises to offer higher quality education through the strands. The importance of choosing the

strand or track is important because it will help you to study properly if you don't know the

strand you will take you will not be able to study properly. As you embark on a new academic

journey, it can be daunting at first, especially when you're deciding which strand to take, but

finding the right one that best suits your strengths and abilities will definitely help set you on

your rewarding journey. 

One of the main challenges of Grade 10 students in EBNHS is the K-12 in improving Philippine

education to provide quality basic education opportunities for all students, increasing the quality

of the educational process to senior high school and college levels, as well as improving the

integration of the whole educational system.

Senior high school education in the Philippines has a very important impact on the country’s

national development. The government invested in education in the hope that students will

become globally competitive. To become globally competitive, the student in EBNHS must see

what career path will they pursue in the near future. A planned and organized life and career

goals can contribute to their personal and professional growth. However, Western civilization is

fond of soliciting advice from parents, teachers, friends, peers, or idolized figures. When they

are confused, they cannot be able to finalize their decision. Furthermore, they may also

consider other important factors such as the financial status of parents, career opportunities,

intellectual capacity, and many more. For these reasons, this proposal is pursued to investigate

the factors of Grade 10 students in EBNHS in making their career choices.

1.2 Background of the study

A strand is an area of study under an academic track that senior high school students must take

to prepare for their chosen degree in college. There are many strands for those Grade 10

students that are struggling on choosing what strands they want.

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand is an approach to

learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics. The difference between the STEM curriculum with the other strands and tracks is

the focus on advanced concepts and topics. Program Outcomes: Under the STEM STRAND, you

can become a pilot, an architect, an astrophysicist, a biologist, a chemist, an engineer, a dentist,

a nutritionist, a nurse, a doctor, and a lot more. Those who are also interested in Marine

Engineering should take this track.

The Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand focuses on the basic concepts of

financial management, business management, corporate operations, and all things that are

accounted for. Program Outcomes: The ABM STRAND can also lead you to careers on

management and accounting which could be a sales manager, human resources, or marketing

director, projectofficer, bookkeeper, accounting clerk, internal auditor, and a lot more.

The Humanities and Social Sciences or HUMSS strand is designed for those who are ready to

take on the world and talk to a lot of people. This is for you if you are considering taking up

journalism. Communication arts, liberal arts, education, and other social science-related courses

in college. Program Outcomes: If you take this strand, you could be looking forward to

becoming a teacher, a psychologist, a lawyer, a writer, a social worker, or a reporter someday.

This strand basically focuses on improving your communication skills.

The HE STRAND offers various specializations that can lead to livelihood projects at home. This

strand aims to give you job-ready skills that can help you in finding the right employment. It

generally prepares you to meet the standard requirement and competency-based assessment of

TESDA as well as hone your readiness in taking up a College degree related to

Entrepreneurship, Hospitality, and Business. Food Management, Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Food

Technology, Tourism, Fashion Management, and Interior Design. Program Outcomes: Among

the included subjects in the SHS curriculum for the HE STRAND are courses on bartending,

cookery, bread and pastry, and food and beverage. Housekeeping, caregiving, beauty care,

tourism, handicrafts, and more! This is the SHS track that fits you if you wish to make a career

as a Baker, Barista Stylist, Tour Guide, Therapist, or perhaps set up businesses related to the

aforementioned area of expertise.

With the Information and Communications Technology Strand or ICT Strand, you can learn

technical skills and competencies in accomplishing computing tasks as well as any other tools or

equipment in the digital world. Students of the ICT track will engage in activities and learning

like generating algorithms, designing program logic and/or writing computer programs, and

illustrating, implementing of algorithms in chosen program language (coding), and designing

websites. You will also be taking up technical drafting, animation, and Java programming which

would be essential if you are planning to work in the creative technological field. Program

Outcomes: If you step right into the ICT STRAND, you can take a job as a call center agent, a

web designer, a data encoder, a radio technician, a graphic designer, or a junior programmer.

You can also take up sales positions such as online sales agent and IT sales clerk. These are the

STRANDS that High school students can choose.

The GAS stands for General Academic Strand. Through the GAS, senior high school students are

given exposure to different courses so they can make a more informed decision about their

future career path. GAS is a Senior High School strand that takes on a generalist approach in
preparing students for college. It covers various disciplines like Humanities, Social Sciences,

Organization, and Management. The benefits of GAS to students are always prepared for

college like scouts on a camping trip. That is if the student already knows what course he'll be

taking up upon graduating senior high. 

The Sports Track aims to give you an understanding of the basic principles and techniques in

relation to physical education and recreation. It will also offer you to discuss various factors that

affect social, psychological, and cognitive development in sports leadership and management.

The Arts and Design Track cover a wide range of art forms: Theater, Music, Dance, Creative

Writing, Visual Arts, and Media Arts. Prior to enrollment, there is an art/creative talent

assessment and guidance to gauge a student's art inclination and aptitude, and also, intends to

provide students with knowledge of the different arts and design forms, materials, media, and

production in the creative industries. This track will also expose you to various influential artists

and works across time and around the globe.

1.3Statement of the problem

This study has been entitled the factors of the Undecidability in choosing career choices of the

Grade 10 Student in EBNHS. There are different factors that affect students' undecidability in

making career choices. One is the family-related factors. According to Pascual (2014), the study
revealed that Filipino immigrants and non-immigrants rely heavily on their family’s

decision-making very few studies are made to investigate success of career path used in the

students of the Philippines, even the factors that affect the career choice of Filipino students.

Grade 10 students in EBNHS are not properly oriented as to what course to choose out of their

interest and skills.

In the Philippines, initiatives for career guidance started when the Philippine

government got alarmed with the growing number of unemployed college graduates

and some who got employed in areas not related to their specialization, The wrong

choice of course taken by most of high school students adds to the unemployment and

underemployment rate of newly graduate students. With this the study determined the

factors affecting the fourth-year high school students’ career The students’ lack of career

information, and wrong decisions was found to be the most contributing factor to the grade 10

of EBNHS problem. With the given facts, there is a need for an enhanced educational system

and career guidance activities that will help students choose the appropriate career based on

their interest and competency. The objective of the study is not to identify the factors affecting

their career choice but rather the factors affecting the students’ undecidability. It is focused

more on the reasons why students in grade 10 of EBNHS are incapable of making decision in

terms of their career choices for their Senior High School.

1.4 Theoretical Framework

The Importance of Choosing the Right Senior High School Track or Strands for Grade 10

students in EBNHS. Senior High School aims to prepare students before entering college,

equipping them with the global skills, competencies, and knowledge needed to achieve

successful career paths in the future it means embarking on a new academic journey.

It may seem intimidating at first, especially as you decide which strand to take but finding the

right track and strand that matches your strengths and skills will surely help ease your nerves to

get you going. Your chosen track and strand will reflect on the subjects you will take. The

strands under the Academic Track are Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM),

Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

(STEM). While under TVL, the institution offers Information and Communications Technology

specializing in Programming or Information and Communications Technology specializing in

Animation.

These different tracks, strands, and specializations are intended for the grade 10 students of

EBNHS to determine which paths fit their strengths, passions, and skills. Choosing the right

Senior High School strand will help them motivate their future career. Once they choose a

strand they like, studying becomes more enjoyable since the strands are designed and

specialized to match the EBNHS grade 10 students interests. Moreover, it expands their

knowledge and skills, while at the same time, exposing them to their chosen field of study in

preparation for college. There are many tips on how to choose the right strand that you think
fits for you, first is to do research about the strand or track you wanted to pursue for your SHS,

and the second is to consider yourself. Assessing your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and

skills will help lead you to a fruitful academic journey and to help you understand what strand

or track you want last is to get advice from your family, peers, and others to help you weigh

the pros and cons of a certain strand. Make sure to keep your goals and strengths until the end.

1.5Conceptual Framework
This conceptual framework is composed of the different academic strands that grade 10

students of EBNHS (Eastern Bacoor National High School) can choose, and the conceptual

framework also has the peers that influenced the track they choose for their Senior High School.

In this conceptual framework, we provided the research objectives.

1.6 Assumptions

The STRAND is an area of study under an academic track that senior high school students must

take to prepare for their chosen degree for SHS. However, there are also some students in

Grade 10 student of EBNHS that doesn’t know what strand or track they want for SHS. It’s

either the track doesn’t fit their skills, they aren’t happy with it, or they’ve chosen it out of peer

pressure. Indeed, choosing “the one” is a tough decision to take. If you don’t want to make this

mistake; your dreams, goals, and aspirations should be aligned with the path you will pursue.

You should also consider your talents, skills, and passion. The purpose of the strand is to inform

the grade 10 students in EBNHS about what strand to take for Senior High School and also to

help them find the strand they want. We have four strands namely the Accountancy Business

Management (ABM); Humanities and Social Sciences Strand (HUMSS); Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics strand (STEM); and  General Academic  Strand (GAS) So many

students have difficulty getting the strand they want sometimes because of family, lack of

money, friends, people who socialize inside and outside the house, or sometimes a student is

forced to take a strand not because they want to but because he was pressured or forced to do

that.
1.7 Research Questions and Hypothesis

5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS: for grade 10 students in EBNHS

1. What are the factors that affect some of the Grade 10 students in EBNHS for choosing

their strand in SHS?

2. What is the STRAND that grade 10 students in EBNHS want to pursue?

3. Why there are many students don’t know what STRAND they want for SHS?

4. What is the importance of choosing a strand?

5. What are the STRANDs in SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL?

Hypothesis:

These are the factors affecting the Grade 10 students in EBNHS on what to choose for SHS one

is the factors such as (i) socio-economic status, (ii) parents, (iii) job opportunities, (iv) academic

performance, and (v) personal interests, as well as (vi) level of influence on the senior high

strand preferences. We have a different Strand on what we want to pursue in SHS and

sometimes it changes as the time comes also for the grade 10 students in EBNHS what strand

do they want for their SHS? Many grade 10 students in EBNHS don’t know what strand they

want for SHS sometimes because of the 5 factors in their life and sometimes is that many

students of grade 10 EBNHS have not yet decided and planned what strand they want because

most of them have not thought about it yet but most of the others already have a plan for the
strand they want to take in SHS. The importance of choosing a strand is it will help you to

determine what course you want for SHS (Senior High School) and studying becomes more

enjoyable since the strands are designed and specialized to match your interests.

The strand for Grade 10 students to pursue is:

1. Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)- This strand is for those students who want to

pursue college courses such as Education, Political Science, AB English or Literature, Mass

Communication, Theater Arts, and other related career paths. 

2. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)- If the career that you want to pursue is

related to the Science and Mathematics field, then you must take STEM. This strand is quite

challenging and at the same time enjoyable for you will be able to experience hands-on

learning. This strand is for those who want to pursue Engineering, Medical Courses, AB Math,

Information Technology, and the like.

3. Accounting Business and Management (ABM)- Related courses are Business Administration,

Tourism Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Accountancy, Real Estate

Management, Entrepreneurship, and all courses related to business and management.

4. General Academic Strand (GAS)- If you are not yet sure of which career path to walk on, we

suggest that you take the General Academic Strand. This strand offers courses that are related

to all fields. You will be able to experience a variety of learning experiences to explore the

different interesting fields which you can study in college. The General Academic Strand is for all

types of courses.
5. TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL-LIVELIHOOD TRACK- The Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL)

track gives you the TESDA National Certificate once you finished any of the strands under it. If

you want to pursue working after Senior High School, this strand will surely give you a gateway

to finding a job for skilled people. Even without seeking college, through the TVL track, you will

gain skills that can be considered job-ready.

6. Sports Track- aims to give you an understanding of the basic principles and techniques in

relation to physical education and recreation. It will also offer you to discuss various factors that

affect social, psychological, and cognitive development in sports leadership and management.

7. Arts and Design Track- covers a wide range of art forms: Theater, Music, Dance, Creative

Writing, Visual Arts, and Media Arts. Prior to enrollment, there is an art/creative talent

assessment and guidance to gauge a student's art inclination and aptitude and also it intends to

provide students with knowledge of the different arts and design forms, materials, media, and

production in the creative industries. This track will also expose you to various influential artists

and works across time and around the globe.

1.8 Scope and Delimitations of the study

This study is to focus on the grade 10 students in EBNHS (Eastern Bacoor National High School)

in their decisions upon pursuing courses that are related to their strand or not. We are trying to
discover the factors or reasons why those grade 10 students in EBNHS what strand they want

for SHS (Senior High School).

This research only focuses on the grade 10 students enrolled at EBNHS (Eastern Bacoor

National High School). This research aims to help grade 10 students in EBNHS choose what

strand they want for SHS (Senior High School) regarding what they want to pursue their SHS .

The academic track is further divided into four strands: accountancy, business, and

management (ABM); science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); humanities or

the social sciences (HUMSS); and general academic.

The basic understanding of STRAND it is a consistent thread running through a course offer

irrespective of its subject content. STRAND is to help us know what track we want for SHS,

once you choose a strand you like, studying becomes more enjoyable since the strands are

designed and specialized to match your interests. Moreover, it expands your knowledge and

skills, while at the same time, exposing you to your chosen field of study in preparation for

college.

The advantages of choosing a strand you like are it will help motivate you for your future career

and the disadvantages of choosing a strand are in career selection, students have to undergo

an intricate process, where they should consider factors that would affect their overall decision

such as the sociodemographic profile, socio-economic status, parents, job opportunities,

academic performance, personal interest, and many other aspects to forcefully be open-minded

of the things they will encounter in the not too distant future.
Oftentimes, this leads to confusion, doubts, and undecidedness that results in unemployment

and underemployment if, unfortunately, they misfit their pursued career. The student from

grade 10 EBNHS will take 2 years to be able to maximize the specific time frame when

choosing a strand or track for their SHS.

The most beneficial under the strand approach of the DepEd is the Grade 10 students and

teachers in Eastern Bacoor National High School. For now, we can’t really see what is the

impact of the STRAND on education in the Philippines, but we can see its impact on education

for some quite time and also we can see the impact of k-12 to the students in Grade 10

students in EBNHS.

1.9 Limitation of the study

This study has some limitations in taking the difficult strand that doesn’t fit students’ talent,

skills, or passion may result in some of the student’s inability to apply the lessons in the real

world. Sometimes, they may just lack confidence in choosing the said strand.

Lack of confidence builds uncertainty and failure, leading to more problems. Students who

freeze at the sight of numbers or equations will most certainly underperform. Few elementary

teachers are qualified to teach in the areas of math or science. Most school systems do not

teach integrated curriculums, therefore teachers do not know how to integrate. The choice of a

strand of students plays a great role in the preparation of the program for the Senior High

School. The most significant effects of disinclination on the choice of strand include poor

performance and dissatisfaction.

In addition, students enrolled in the wrong choice of strand experienced a low levels of

involvement, were unable to concentrate, and are not able to enjoy some of the subjects to the

point of quitting.

1.10 Significance of the study

This research is to focus on Grade 10 students in EBNHS to let them know what is the basic

understanding of STRAND and to help them know what strand they want for SHS. This research

is important and needed by the grade 10 students because it helps them acquire new skills and

improve their technical proficiency which is of utmost importance to survive in a dynamic

marketplace. These strands also give professionals an edge from the perspective of career

growth as it reflects an attitude of constantly wanting to learn and get better. One is witnessing

a trend of combining soft skills with technical skills to bring in differentiation. To help them

prepare for their SHS and College life for choosing a strand. The benefits of choosing the right

strand for the student is that it will help them in learning because they will not have difficulty

because they know that they choose the right strand they want and more suitable for their skill

and interest, choosing the right strand can benefit students in their future careers when they

have to apply it to other tasks, sometimes we have things to deal with where our skills are

tested for examples is at work, home and more and the other thing that can benefit them for

their career in the future is finding a job because this will test their talent and skill. Choosing the

right strand that can benefit students for their academic pursuits is first of all they will not have

any difficulty in learning if the strand they choose is based on their skill and interest because

simply choosing a strand without checking if it fits the skill or interest, they will have a hard
time understanding it. Secondly, they will not have difficulty understanding it. Third, they can do

it from the spring of their hearts, not because they are forced to do it but because they love it.

In conclusion, many students are having a hard time choosing the strand they want for senior

high school because they can't find the strand that really suits their skills and interests. There

are many factors that affect the students in Grade 10 of Eastern Bacoor National High School

for what strand they want for Senior High School. These factors are Friends, Peers, Family,

Interests, Socioeconomic status, and passion. There are many challenges that  Grade 10

students in EBNHS are facing, for example, is the  K-12 in improving Philippine education to

provide quality basic education opportunities for all students, increasing the quality of the

educational process to senior high school and college levels, as well as improving the

integration of the whole educational system. Of course, we should know what kind of strands

there are in Senior High School for the students of Grade 10 of Eastern Bacoor National High

School will choose we have 8 kinds of strands: Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (STEM) strand, Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand,

Humanities, and Social Sciences or (HUMSS) strand, HE STRAND offers various specializations

that can lead to livelihood projects at home, Information and Communications Technology

Strand or (ICT) strand, (GAS) stands for General Academic Strand, Sports Track, Arts and

Design Track. In choosing a strand, you need to know what skills, knowledge, and interests you

are capable of. Do not just select a strand because of its name and degree because someday

you are the one who’s suffering, so choose the right strand wisely. Some students' lack of

confidence builds uncertainty and failure, leading to more problems that can affect what strand

they will choose. Those kinds of different strands and specializations are intended for the Grade

10 student of EBNHS to determine which paths fit their strengths, passions, and skills. Choosing

the right Senior High School strand will help them be motivated in the future. In order for us to
keep up with other countries in terms of knowledge and competence in different fields, the

Philippines has adopted the K-12 learning program, which has been the standard education

system in other countries for quite some time now. That’s why choosing a strand is always

important, because if you don't choose the right strand, you will also have trouble

understanding the lesson. I encourage all Grade 10 Students of Eastern Bacoor National High

School to choose wisely what strand they want for Senior High School so that their studies will

be more fun and they will not be pressured by the lessons and tasks assigned by the teachers

1.11 Definition of terms

EBNHS - Eastern Bacoor National High Scool

SHS - Senior High School

Strand - a strand is an area of study under an academic track that senior high school students

must take to prepare for their chosen degree in college.

Curriculum - The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.

K-12 - Generally, elementary and secondary school grades kindergarten through grade

12 (K-12) are required, after which a student may choose to attend college or university.
REFERENCES:

● Pascual, N.T. Factors Affecting High School Students’ Career Preference: A Basis for

Career Planning Program. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied

Research (IJSBAR). (2014) Volume 16, No 1, pp 1-14 http://www.urs.edu.ph/wp-

content/uploads/2016/06/2261-4881-1-PB.pdf ISSN 2307-4531.