VOICES OF LEADERSHIP:A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE EXPERIENCES OF SCHOOL HEADS IN MANAGING IP SCHOOLS

EDUCATION

This research explored and investigates the experience, challenges, coping mechanism, strategies and insights among five selected school heads in Indigenous People Schools in New Bataan District, Davao de Oro. This study was employed phenomenological research design. The finding revealed that significant experiences encountered in Managing Indigenous People Schools were introduced and embraced the culture and tradition, good and welcoming parents and learners, dealing with different cultures, cultural preservation through celebration, realizing the importance of cultural sensitivity.The challenges faced by school heads in managing IP school were dealing with families long stay in school premises, alignment of curriculum, remote area schools and limited resources,students lack of parental support, cultural differences, handling sensitive feelings language barrier, no significant Issues experienced, alignment of national curriculum to actual field of teaching and slow government support and limited access to technology. In addition, an IP school were patience, good relationship, and staying positive, calling for meeting and collaborative decision-making, addressing language and reading difficulties, collaboration with stakeholders, and adjust. Support system or networks relied on to help manage the responsibilities effectively were stakeholders and MOOE budget.It suggested to other school heads in managing an IP School were assess and understand first the community, building strong relationships with stakeholders, promote culturally responsive teaching, allocation for students’ needs, adjust, respect, listen and collaborate, and be resilient. Ways that experiences. The study concluded that leading Indigenous Peoples (IP) schools demands a culturally sustaining leadership approach, affirming successful practices, and positioning success across three mutually dependent and co-dependent communities.

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