LIFELONG LEARNING INITIATIVES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN JOMALIG DISTRICT

The purpose of this research is to analyze the lifelong learning initiatives and professional development of public school teachers in Jomalig District. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the (1) demographic profile of the respondents; (2) attitude of respondents on their lifelong learning initiatives; (3) attitude of respondents on their professional development practices; (4) the extent of respondent’s lifelong learning practices; (5) the extent of respondent’s professional development practices; (6) significant relationship between the attitude and extent of practice of respondents on lifelong learning initiatives and (7) significant relationship on the attitude and extent of practice of respondents on professional development practices. As a final output of the study, proposed annual workplan for teacher’s development programs was developed covering the variables that were found to have significant relationship on the learning initiatives and professional development of public school teachers. This is a descriptive quantitative research utilizing correlation technique in determining the relationship of attitude and extent of practice of teacher respondents on lifelong learning initiatives and professional development practices. The results of the study show that the greater the attitude on lifelong learning initiatives the greater their extent of practice of teaching and the greater the attitude on professional development the greater their extent of practice of professional development. Thus, the study concludes that teachers who see themselves engaged in lifelong learning will more likely to practice and embrace professional growth. The study recommends that the school principal and/or head teacher strengthen instructional collaboration in undertaking changes in instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement as focus of the lifelong learning initiatives of teachers.