Beyond Conditionality: A Qualitative Case Study of the Educational Impact of 4Ps Program on the monitored child Beneficiaries at Buenasuerte National High School

Doctor of Education-Educational Management

Despite widespread adoption of conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs, their long-term educational effects on marginalized communities remain debated. This study critically examines the educational impact of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on monitored child beneficiaries at Buenasuerte National High School, questioning whether the program transcends mere conditionality to foster substantive academic resilience. Grounded in Sen’s capability approach and Bourdieu’s theory of capital, the study conceptualizes education not just as compliance with policy directives but as an evolving asset shaped by socioeconomic constraints and institutional interventions. Utilizing an in-depth qualitative case study method, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and policy analysis. Findings reveal that while 4Ps recipients demonstrate improved school retention, the program’s structural limitations hinder sustainable educational empowerment, reinforcing dependency rather than fostering self-sufficiency. This research contributes to policy discourse by re-framing CCTs beyond economic incentives, urging a shift toward holistic educational transformation. Theoretically, it advances discussions on state-driven interventions in marginalized schooling, while practically, it informs refinements in social policy aimed at reducing educational instability. In the broader landscape of governance and welfare politics, the study adds a critical perspective on state accountability and grassroots agency in social protection frameworks.

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