Cherly C. Cordova¹, Denis A. Tan^1,, Freddielyn B. Pontemayor¹, Julius R. Olores¹, Heherson B. Guinto¹, Leonora L. Emperador¹

The Community Leaders’ Beliefs on the Purpose of Schooling and Their Community Educational Initiatives is a case study geared towards finding out if the beliefs of community leaders are communicated through their educational initiatives. It aimed to a) describe community leaders’ beliefs about the purpose of schooling, b) determine community leaders’ educational initiatives (programs and activities) conducted; and c) identify sets of beliefs that appear influential on community leaders’ educational initiatives. To attain its objective, a one-on-one interview followed by a focused group discussion with the barangay officials of Kibawe was done using a semi-structured interview schedule. The data gathered were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Results of the study show that the barangay officials of Kibawe believe that the purpose of schooling can be categorized into four categories namely (1) personal development; (2) social development; (3) better quality of life; (4) economic development. These beliefs on the purpose of schooling are shown by the educational initiatives conducted and supported by the Kibawe barangay officials as follows: a) supported the alternative learning system (ALS), skills courses by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) b) allocated budget for Financial Assistance for students and the Department of Education (DepEd) evaluation, c) conducted information campaign on the importance of schooling, d) submitted a Proposal to Build Barangay High School, especially for indigenous peoples (IPs). The information Campaign on the importance of schooling conducted by the barangay officials is an offshoot of the belief that the purpose of schooling is for personal development. On the other hand, social development; better quality of life; and economic development is the believed purpose of schooling which is why they supported the ALS, TESDA, and 4Ps with financial assistance allocated to students and DepEd evaluations.

community leaders, purpose of schooling, beliefs, initiatives