Tracer Study of Teacher Education Graduates of Western Philippines University - Puerto Princesa Campus: Basis for Curriculum Review and Revision

Abstract

Graduates' employability indicates the excellent education and relevant preparation they obtained from their respective degrees. Tracer studies have enabled higher education institutions to profile their graduates while also reflecting on the quality of education they provide. With the foregoing, a tracer study determined the demographic and academic profile of teacher education graduates from 2017 to 2020 in a state university in the West Philippines. It also ascertained the advanced studies they attended after college, their employment data, the relevance of college preparation with their current employment, difficulties they encountered while securing employment and in their present job, and recommendations to strengthen the teacher education program. The study utilized a descriptive survey research design with 80 non-random samples chosen based on availability. The survey was based on the Philippine Commission on Higher Education with modifications elucidated from previous studies. Results showed that graduates took the teacher education program with a strong passion for the teaching profession. More graduates received honors and awards, passed the licensure examinations for teachers, attended advanced studies for professional development, and are employable. Besides, the graduates’ college preparation is relevant to their current employment. Further, difficulties and problems encountered and recommendations to strengthen the teacher education program were noted. These findings may serve as a baseline for curriculum review and give suggestions for future tracer studies.

Tracer Study of Bachelor of Elementary Education Graduates of the Davao Oriental State University – Cateel Extension Campus, Philippines

“…Tracer studies of Cornillez et al (2021) and Oboza (2017) revealed that the primary reason of teacher education graduates in pursuing teacher education degrees in college was the influence from their parents and/or relatives who convinced them to choose the programs for they were likely to be employed in the job market after earning their teacher education degrees in college. However, a different result was found in the tracer study of Pentang et al (2022) where it was revealed that the graduates' strong passion for the teaching profession was their main reason for earning teacher education degrees in college.…”

“…However, a different result was showed in the study conducted by Oboza (2017) where most of them were employed with contractual status. Also, Cornillez et al (2021), Oboza (2017), Tican (2016), Pentang et al (2022), Abana et al (2021), Biscante et al (2019), and Abas et al (2020 showed that only some of the graduates were unemployed and most were employed in the job market.…”

“…Determining the employability status of graduates is also possible with surveys utilized in tracer studies. Findings from the tracer studies of Cornillez et al (2021), Oboza (2017), Tican (2016), Pentang et al (2022), Abana et al (2021), Biscante et al (2019), and Abas et al (2020) revealed that majority of the teacher education graduates who participated in their studies were employed, with those unemployed graduates perceived that no job opportunity and lack of work experience were their main reasons for unemployment (Tican 2016). Also, in another findings of Abas et al (2020) both no job opportunity and family concerns were the primary reasons why the graduates were still unemployed after earning their bachelor degree in education.…”

“…Most of the teacher education graduates were employed with regular or permanent status (Cornillez et al 2021;Tican 2016;Pentang et al 2022;Abana et al 2021;Biscante et al 2019;Abas et al 2020). However, a different result was showed in the study conducted by Oboza (2017) where most of them were employed with contractual status.…”

Graduate Tracer Study for the 12 Academic Programs in the Graduate School of San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines

“…While the ratings are all very good, it is still our dream to have Quality and Excellence; results explain that we need to exert more efforts to improve the implementation of the graduate school programs. In particular, the areas on extracurricular activities (x=3.22; Sd = .776) and laboratory resources (x=3.20; Sd = .721) must be given much focus for improvement [26][27][28][29][30].…”