The Employability of Mathematics Education Graduates (2008-2013) of a Teacher Education Institution (Tei) in the Philippines
2014; Volume: 5; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
2231-4172
AutoresRoldan S. Cardona, Edilberto M. Andres,
Tópico(s)Competency Development and Evaluation
ResumoABSTRACTThis descriptive study determined the employment status and the retrospective evaluation of Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) mathematics graduates of PNU-North Luzon. Eighty-one respondents from Batch 2008-2013 participated in the study. Results revealed that almost all of the respondents are presently employed, had taken the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) and passed in their first attempt, acquired a job within six months after graduation, and are practicing their profession by teaching in all education levels across almost all subject areas. The graduates also claimed that the competency skills provided by the University were useful to a certain extent on their current work. They were also satisfied on the facilities, learning environment and services offered. The hierarchical cluster analysis showed three relative groupings of graduates dominated by those who are presently employed, two years and above in service, relatively low in all the subject areas but rated the University's services to be of average.Keywords: employability, mathematics education graduates.INTRODUCTION:Higher education today cannot justify its existence by providing only academic learning for mental and spiritual development, it has in addition to convey the necessary skills for economic development in order that natural resources might be explored and exploited, products stored and distributed, services managed and resources conserved for future generations. This brings us to the role of higher education in meeting employment needs and to the global issue of the relationship between higher education and employment (p. 3). - Arcelo & Sanyal (1987)The primary goal of teacher education programs is to produce good teachers who are qualified to teach in the elementary and secondary schools (Colarte, 2010). As such, every Teacher Education Institution (TEI) including Philippine Normal University holds the primordial duty in responding and catering to this challenge. Concomitant to this aim is equipping students the essential tools for landing a decent employment after graduation.Securing employment is however, far lesser than the concept of employability (Pavlin, 2013). Yorke and Knight (2003) defined employability as a set of achievements, skills, understanding and personal attributes that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupation which benefits themselves, the work force, the community and the economy. It implies the possession of qualities and competencies that are required to enable graduates to enter and maintain employment throughout their lives. According to Boholano (2012), it is through quality education and proper training that one may get a respectable job after graduation. That is, in the words of Pavlin (2013), a job with a high security, prestige, promotion possibilities, work satisfaction, and the chance to utilize own knowledge and skills.In the current trend of education, many universities are using the employment of their graduates to evaluate how their program performs in making their students productive in the labor market. It is used as a performance indicator for college education institutions (Smith, et al, 2000 as cited by Boholano, 2012; Bruwer, 1998). If a graduate came from a reputable institution, the more likely he or she finds a job faster (Kong, 2011; Manila Bulletin, January 6, 2013). Otherwise, the graduates will end either unemployed or underemployed.It is then apparent, as it may seem, that unemployment or underemployment is tantamount to some inefficiency (Bruwer, 1998).Unemployment means poor educational qualification (Peacock, 2007) implying poor education and training (Hick, 2003; Psacharopoulus, 2004), inefficient delivery of basic services, unfavorable learning environment, and lack of facilities. In the country, it has been reported that the unemployment rate is 6.9% in April 2012 from 13. …
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