Challenges and Experiences Encountered

By Senior High School

Working Students

A Research Proposal
Presented to
The Research Teacher of Senior High School
Malay National High School
Motag, Malay, Aklan

In Partial Fulfillment
For the Requirements in Practical Research I

Group 2
Quenie F. Caspillo
Nathalie Faith A. Quinto
Tiffany Dawn S. Galigao
Fevi M. Te
Jeah Marie D. Gad

Miss Lara Gen L. Sejane

Miss Janine R. Cahilig
Research Adviser

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 Acknowledgement

The researchers would like to acknowledge and give

their warmest thanks to their Research Teachers, Ma'am
Janine Cahilig and Ma'am Lara Gen Sejane who made this
work possible. Their guidance and advice carried the
researchers through all the stages of writing their
project. The researchers would also like to thank their
fellow researchers for letting their proposal defense be
an enjoyable moment, and for their brilliant comments and
suggestions thank you.

The researchers would also like to give special

thanks to their family and friends as a whole for their
continuous support and understanding when they were
undertaking their research. The prayer for the
researchers has sustained them this far.

Finally, the researchers would like to thank God,

for letting them through all the difficulties. The
researchers have experienced your guidance day by day.
You are the one who let the researchers finish their
study. The researchers will keep on trusting you for
their future.

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 Table of Contents

Title Page __________________________________________ 1

Acknowledgement _____________________________________ 2

List of Tables ______________________________________ 3

I. Introduction ________________________________ 4

A. Background of the Study _____________________ 4

B. Statement of the Problem ____________________ 6

C. Significance of the Study ___________________ 6

D. Scope and Limitations _______________________ 7

E. Definition of Terms _________________________ 8

II. Review Related Literature ___________________ 10

III. Methodology _________________________________ 13

A. Research Design _____________________________ 13

B. C. Local of the Study _______________________ 14

C. Participants with Inclusion Criteria ________ 15

D. Sampling Technique __________________________ 15

E. Data Collection Method ______________________ 16

IV. References __________________________________ 17

V. Interview Guide _____________________________ 19

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 Chapter I

Introduction

Background of the Study

“If you can dream it, you can do it – Walt Disney”.

A study led by Endsleigh (2015), showed that eight out of
ten (77%) understudies are now working part-time to help
them in their financial needs in school. Although there
is government support for the students, this may not be
sufficient and only limited. There are private
institutions that are willing to help students with their
financial needs. Some of this comes in the form of part-
time employment. Because many students need to support
themselves, they grab the opportunity to work and study.

This study revolves around the challenges and

experiences encountered by working students in Malay
National High School. Collins Dictionary refers that a
working student as a student who is permitted to work
while studying. According to Darolla (2014), the
phenomenon of working students is prevalent in both
developed and developing countless, driven by factors
such as the rising cost of education, financial contains,
the need for practical work experience, and the desire to
gain independence.

The rising living expenses and cost of education

have led many students to work full-time while studying.
This situation creates unique challenges for students
that can affect their academic performance, social life,
and overall well-being. In addition, while holding a job
during high school can provide financial independence and
valuable real-world skill preventing numerous challenges

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that can affect students’ academic progress and personal
development.

According to UNITAR International (2022), students

who work often encounter distinctive difficulties that
can impede their academic success. These challenges
encompass effective time management, financial stress,
and achieving equilibrium between their professional and
personal lives, all of which can have negative
repercussions. Nevertheless, there are practical
solutions that can be employed to combat these common
obstacles. By preparing meticulously and persevering
diligently, it is feasible to execute the twin
responsibilities of work and education. In this way, the
challenges that confront working students can be
successfully overcome, ensuring a promising future.

Understanding the challenges that working student’s

face is important because it allows educators,
policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop
strategies that can help students with their work and
academic responsibilities. By addressing these
challenges, it becomes possible to create a more
supportive environment that encourages academic success
and personal growth for working students.

Financial constraints, time management difficulties,

increased stress levels, limited practical experience,
potential drawbacks in academic performance, and varied
employment experiences are some of the key aspects that
shape the context of this study.

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Statement of the Problem

This study aims to know the experiences and

challenges encountered by working students of Malay
National High School.

Specifically, this study attempts to answer the

following questions:

1. What are the experiences encountered by a Senior

High School working student?
2. What are the challenges encountered by a Senior
High School working student?
3. How do Senior High School working students manage
their time and what are the coping mechanisms?

Significance of the Study

This study is significant and would be beneficial to

the following:

Working Students

This study will guide them to manage their time

responsibility towards school and work so that their
academic performance will not be affected by the focus of
their work.

Students

This study will give the students an idea on the

experiences and challenges encountered by Senior High
School working students. This will help them to get
motivated and focus on their studies.

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Parents

This study will give the parents an idea of the

problems encountered by working students. This will help
them become more supportive and understanding of the
challenges their children face.
Teachers

This study will give the teachers an idea of the

problems encountered by working students. In that way,
teachers will help motivate working students to do better
and help them achieve life goals. Through their guidance,
a working student will do better.

School Administrators

The school administrators will benefit from the

result of the study by applying the proposed action plan
which will possibly help minimize drop-out among working
students.

Future Researchers

Future researchers will benefit from this study

because this will serve as their source and basis for
future studies.

Scope and Limitations

This research study aims to determine the

experiences and challenges encountered by Senior High
School working students. Also, this study will determine

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the priorities and time management, specifically focusing
on their academic and occupational struggles.

The face-to-face interview will be done in one (1)

week inside the Malay National High School campus. The
participants of this research study are working students
who enrolled at Malay National High School, S.Y. 2022 –
2023.

This study will not cover any problems that are not
in the experiences and challenges encountered by Senior
High School working students. It does not include all
kinds of students who are not enrolled in Malay National
High School.

Definition of Terms

Academic Performance

It is the level of measurement of student

achievement across various academic subjects.
It is the outcomes of the effort of a Senior High
School working student accomplished.

Challenges Encountered

It is the difficulties or obstacles that working

students face while trying to achieve a particular goal
or complete a certain task.
A problem faced by Senior High School working
students.

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Experiences

It is the knowledge skills and understanding gained

by working students through personal involvement or
exposure as a working student.
It is an encountered skill met by a Senior High
School working student.
Senior High School Students

A student who is in the final two (2) years of the

secondary education system, typically after the
completion of Junior High School.
It is the grade 11 and 12 students.

Working Students

A student who is working while studying.

It is a student who works and studies that will be
participants in this study.

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 Chapter II

Review Related Literature

Education is essential in today's globalized world,

but many college students must balance employment and
academic work (Battle & Lewes, 2002). This can lead to
conflicts, with work demands potentially taking time away
from academic responsibilities. Neglecting academic work
can cause a decline in grades and hinder a student's
future career opportunities. It is crucial for students
to manage both employment and academic coursework for
academic success and to establish a strong base for their
career goals. Striking a balance between education and
employment is important for students to achieve their
potential.According to the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
report, the number of students working part-time has
increased by over 50% between 1996 and 2006. This
increase is due to changes in student funding and the
growth in student numbers. Part-time work allows students
to balance their studies with paid work to meet their
financial needs. With many employers expecting practical
work experience, part-time work has become an important
part of the student experience and essential in the job
market.

Several Studies have investigated the impact of

student employment on academic performance and overall
well-being.Pascarella and Padgett (2009) found that
working more than 20 hours per week had a positive effect
on students mental health and provided an opportunity for

10
off-campus employed students to enhance their leadership
skills.In a study conducted, adolescents who enter the
workforce earlier are more likely to complete high school
than their peers (Leventhal, Graber, and Brooks-Gunn,
2001).Working part-time can easily develop team
cooperation, customer care, communication, and practical
skills (Lucas and Lammont, 1998; Curtis and Lucas, 2001).
Employment for students was also found to have a positive
effect as an alternative to deviant or anti-social
behavior (Greenberger and Steinberg, 1986). It was found
that adolescents who are employed achieved diversion from
street violence and drugs, working-class status, and
obtained the opportunity to practice work ethic (Newman,
1999). Furthermore, senior high school students who work
are better off than those who do not (Mortimor, 2003).

However, Furr and Elling (2000) identified negative

consequences of working too many hours, as students
working 30-39 or 40+ hours per week perceived a decline
in their academic responsibilities and find a healthy
balance between work and school. Additionally, part-time
employment may not offer benefits such as health
insurance and paid time off, further contributing to
financial stress. In addition, from the perspective of
students part-time work can be an introduction to the
real world, aiding in both personal and career
development, particularly in higher education (Tymon,
2013; Tomlinson, 2007). This emphasize the importance of
a balance between work and academic commitments to ensure
success in both spheres and achieve future career goals.

Kuh, Kinzie, et al., (2006), and Terenzini (2005)

are among the studies that suggest the impacts and

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outcomes of student employment. These studies have taken
place over time and may offer valuable insights for
policymakers and educators. Moreover, this research is
part of a larger body of evidence that examines the
impact of teaching institutional environment, and
challenging course work on students’ experience (Astin,
1993; Pascarella and Terenzini, 2005). Investigating the
correlation between student employment and academic
achievement is just one aspect of this broader area of
study, which suggests that various college factors can
influence a student’s educational journey.

Being a working student in the Philippines is

challenging, as pointed out by Karl Nicole Nucum in a
2018 blog post entitled "Balancing Job and Academics as a
Working Student in the Philippines". Juggling job
responsibilities, coursework, and maintaining
relationships with family and friends requires efficient
time management and personal sacrifice. This underscores
the obstacles faced by many students in balancing their
financial responsibilities and academic pursuits. There
is a vast body of evidence exploring the relationship
between works and learning outcomes for both
undergraduate and graduate students.

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 Chapter III

Methodology

Research Design

This research study is using a particular method

called phenomenological study, which involves looking at
people's experiences and understanding the meanings they
attach to them.According to Philipsen, H., & Vernooij-
Dassen, M. (2007), qualitative research is defined as
"the study of the nature of phenomena".The researchers
are using a qualitative approach, which means they are
collecting information through interviews and
observations and looking for patterns and themes in the
responses they receive. This type of research doesn't
rely on numbers or statistics, but instead focuses on the
words and perspectives of the participants. This approach
is well-suited for this study because it helps the
researchers understand the participants' unique
perspectives and experiences in a deeper way.

Phenomenology is a type of research that looks

closely at the individual experiences of people within
the world.Delve (n.d.) suggests that the method examines
people's daily encounters without the researchers'
predetermined beliefs about the occurrence. The goal is
to understand how people experience and interpret their
surroundings, without any biases or pre-existing

13
assumptions from the research team. The researchers
believe that people have an inner essence that helps them
make sense of their experiences. By using this research
approach, the team can gain insight into the emotions and
beliefs of the participants and truly understand the
essential nature of the phenomenon they are studying.

The main aim of this research is to get an

understanding of the concept of experience and challenges
encountered by working students and do so by focusing on
their own experiences related to how their school life
quality may be influenced by school and work. On the
bases of this, the researchers have found phenomenology
to be relevant to this study. Phenomenology has the
following characteristics (Creswell, 1998):
• It studies how people experience a phenomenon.
• The participants describe their everyday lived
experiences.
• The information is collected through interviews
with a small number of participants.

Locale of the Study

Researchers will conduct this study inside the

school campus. The participants of this study are the
officially enrolled students at Malay National High
School who are working while studying. Malay National
High School is a school in Malay, Aklan, and is situated
nearby Motag Living Museum and the peak of Mountain
Panitan.

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 Participants of the Study with Inclusion Criteria

The researchers approached and invited participants

to participate in the data collection of the study. The
participants were asked for their consent and for them to
be aware that they have the right to refuse the research
and to make sure that the participation was voluntary.
After the participants agreed to participate, they were
informed right away about the procedure of the data
gathering and the data to be collected. The researchers
will assure the participants that the data collected will
be treated with confidentiality; they were not required
to disclose their identifying details. Finally, the are
given consent forms for their participation to show proof
that they signed to give their consent.

The chosen participants are Senior High School

students who are working while studying from the age of
sixteen (16) to nineteen (19) years old. All participants
have experienced working while studying and are qualified
to be the participant.

Sampling Technique

The sampling technique that is used in the process

of making this part of the study is purposive sampling.
Purposive sampling, also called, judgemental sampling is

15
a non-probability sampling technique in which units are
selected because it has the characteristics that the
researchers need in the sample. This sampling method
relies on the researcher’s judgment when identifying and
selecting the individuals, cases, or events that can
provide the best information to achieve the study’s
objectives (Nikolopoulou, K., 2022). The researcher is
responsible for putting together a sample of people from
different backgrounds to get varied data.

Data Collection Method

Data collection is about gathering good information

in order to answer the research questions. collecting
data 1s a process consisting of several interrelated
activities (Creswell, 1998). Among the several steps in
the process one is to find participants to study and to
gain access and establish a good relationship so that the
participants will provide good data.

The researchers will be approaching and inviting the

participants to participate in the data collection of the
study. The participants will be provided with an
information sheet and will be informed at their right to
refuse. After the participants agree to participate they
will be informed right away about the information to be
gathered by the researchers.

The researchers will use face to face individual

interview method. This type of interview also allows the

16
researcher to read the non-verbal communication and
reactions which is necessary for the data analysis
(Ferreira el al, 1988).
s
References:

Austin (1993) ; Pascarella and Terenzini (2005),

Karl Nicole Nacum (2018), Kuhn, Kinzie,
Buckley, Bridges, and Hayek (2006) : Pascarella
and Terenzini (2005) Retrieved from:
https://www.scribd.com/document/274512977/Liter
ature-Review-part-time-job-among-student

Battle and Lewis (2002) and Trade Union Congress

(TUC) Retrieved from:
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/technologic
al-university-of-the-philippines/mathematics/
the-academic-performance-of-working-students-
of-marigondon-national-high-school/37448087

Creswell, John W.(1998). Quality Inquiry and

Research Design. Thousand Oaks London New
Dehli. SAGE Publications Retrieved from:
https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/qualitative-
inquiry-and-research-design/book246896

Darolia (2014)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346616
755_Working_Students_in_Higher_Education_Challe
nges_and_Solutions

Endsleigh (2015) "Work-study student definition and

meaning | Collins English Dictionary"

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 https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/en
glish/work-study-student

Furr and Elling (2000), Kanvacana (2015), and Pascarella

and Padgett (2009)
https://www.scribd.com/document/446223170/chapter-2

Groenewald, T. (2004). A phenomenological research design

is illustrated. International Journal of Qualitative
Methods. Retrieved from
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1609406
90400300104

Manthei and Gilmore (2005), Tymon (2013); Tomlinson

(2007), Watts and Pickering (2000) Retrieved rom:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328379557_T
he_Experiences_of_Working_While_Studying_A_Case_Stud
y_of_Postgraduate_Students_at_International_Islamic

Nikolopoulou, K. (2022, December 01). What Is Purposive

Sampling? | Definition & Examples. Scribbr.
Retrieved June 7, 2023 Retrieved from:
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/purposive-
sampling/

Philipsen, H., & Vernooij-Dassen, M. (2007). Kwalitatief

onderzoek: nuttig, onmisbaar en uitdagend. In L.
PLBJ & H. TCo (Eds.), Kwalitatief onderzoek:
Praktische methoden voor de medische praktijk.
[Qualitative research: useful, indispensable, and
challenging. In: Qualitative research: Practical
methods for medical practice (pp. 5–12). Houten:
Bohn Stafleu van Loghum. Retrieved from:

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 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-90-
313-6373-5_1

Unitar International (2022) Retrieved rom:

https://www.unitar.my/newsroom/blog/common-
challenges-of-working-students-and-solutions/

Interview Guide

Introduction

Name, Greetings, Title

Hello my name is (name and stand of

researchers), Good afternoon/Good morning. This interview
is about the challenges and experiences encountered by
Senior High School Working Students. As one of a working
student, what are the challenges and experiences that you
have encountered? (Present the research title and ask
him/her if she/he is okay)

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. Since you are one of those working students, what

are the experiences that you have encountered?
2. What are the challenges that you had encountered
as a working student?
3. How do you manage your time and what are the
coping mechanism that you use?

Can ask additional question.

19
 Thank the participants.

20