ASSESSMENT OF THE PERSONAL - SOCIAL, ACADEMIC, AND CAREER NEEDS OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN POST-PANDEMIC TIME: A BASIS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE PROGRAM

Guidance and counseling in junior high school’s post-pandemic period are crucial for addressing the holistic needs of students, including personal-social, academic, and career development. This study assessed the needs of junior high school students at Gulang-Gulang National High School. Respondents in this study include 317 students who completed the selfmade survey questionnaire adapted from the downloadable ASCA National Standards for Students and the National Standards for School Counseling Programs in the Philippines that are available online. Also, 12 parents and 12 teachers undergo a focus group discussion (FGD) to determine their perceptions regarding the developmental needs of the students. Data was collected and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results show that the majority of the student-respondents are female, with an age of 14, and are living with both parents. In the challenges they encountered in postpandemic time, the students felt overwhelmed by academic tasks, resulting in excessive stress from school work. In terms of personal-social needs, respondents agreed that theire is a much of a need for independence and confidence in making decisions. Furthermore, in terms of career needs, respondents agreed that there is a very much need to learn essential skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability that will be beneficial in their future work. Hence, the school must utilize the comprehensive guidance program in the Junior High School Department by providing additional activities based on the needs of the students in terms of personal-social, academic, and career needs.