Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

The Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies is a four-year

degree program in the Philippines that will introduce students to History, Geography,

Economics and Politics. The program combines both theory and practice in order to

teach students the necessary knowledge and skills that a high school teacher needs.

The program aims to produce teachers who provide a conducive learning experience to

their students.

The history of Social Studies as a curriculum started in the US. Most scholars

trace the institution of Social Studies as a school subject in high school to a 1916 report

by the US Committee on Social Studies tasked to review whether the social science

courses taken by high school students were what college education required. As

recommended by the 1916 Committee, Social Studies, defined as “those whose subject

matter relates directly to the organization and development of human society, and to

man as a member of a social group” (Nelson, 1994, p. 20) was implemented as a

subject in high school (Calingasan).

In the Philippines, the Social Studies or Araling Panlipunan program under the

K12 curriculum or the Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum. It is grounded in the

theories and principles of learning such as experiential and situated learning, reflective
learning, constructivism, cooperative learning and discovery and inquiry-based learning

(K12 Gabay Pangkurikulum, 2016).

Now, according to Edukasyon Ph, Education and Teacher Training is the second

most popular career path of students in the Philippines. As of 2017, the field has

740,713 enrolled in the Philippines making the course degree as one of the most taken

up college courses in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, many underlying factors must be considered first before

deciding on choosing college courses and career paths. The choice in career of the

students were affected by some factors from social environment, specifically the

guardians as their immediate family who play important roles in choosing the best kind

of education for the students (Mylonakis, 2011).

In Filipino costume and as a sign of respect for the elderly, children often consult

their parents for these kinds of issues for they are the primary source of financial

support for college education. (Laguador, 2013). In which the cost of studying varies

drastically. It is undoubtedly one of the hindrances of taking a degree.

Some other factors affecting the decisions of students for higher education

include the offer of quality services. Academic institutions sought to observe the

perspective of students, requirements in terms of educational programs (Hmciar and

Madzic, 2013). Another is the issue of which type of high school the students graduated

either public or private secondary school. Deciding for the career-choice and institution

sometimes depends on how students perceive the world and that of their future. Some

might lack knowledge and understanding on how to process information from personal,
social, economic, or even spiritual and environmental aspects of putting into realization

of having a successful profession. Following the decision of what profession to take

students can utilize their skills to gain proper experience helpful in the contribution of the

society and economic development. (Pafili and Mylonakis, 2011).

Students who choose BSED as their choice of course had considered some

other factors that finally made them decide to take the said career. This includes the

strand that the student's took in senior high school. Their interests, aspirations and

ambition. The increase in demand of the said course. There are some who considered

this course because of the love and passion for teaching, to acquire new knowledge

and for world teaching service. Some other factors include their field of expertise, their

gender of which have a greater percentage in teaching either male or female.

The aforementioned challenges urged the researchers to conduct a study

regarding the factors that were considered by the current Social Studies Major in

choosing their course major. This study will be beneficial for future college students,

current students and institutions concerned.

Statement of the Problem:

 The study aims to determine and describe what were the factors considered by

the students of the BSED Social Studies program of Bicol University, College of

Education in choosing the said program as their course major. The study aimed to

provide answer to the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. SHS strand

b. Interests,

c. Aspirations; and

d. Ambitions.

2. What are the factors considered by BSED Social Studies students in choosing

their course major?

3. What are the challenges encountered by the BSED Social Studies students in

choosing their course major?

4. What measures can be proposed to encourage students to take Social Studies

as a field of specialization?

Scope and Delimitation

 Bicol University is one of the premier state universities in the country with almost

25,000 students served by 450 faculty members. The College of Education was

recognized as Center for Teaching Excellence in 2012 and Center of Training for K to

12 Basic Education Program and awarded as Best Unit for the entire Bicol University

Campus in December 2013. To further improve and contribute to the progress of the

college specifically in the BSED Social Studies program, this study was formulated.

The study will cover the factors considered by the students of the Bachelor of

Secondary Education in choosing their course major. It will also determine the

challenges encountered by the students in choosing their course major. It will be

conducted in Bicol University, College of Education in Daraga, Albay. The respondents

chosen through purposive sampling will be limited to the current 1st year to 4th year

students enrolled in academic year 2021-2022 of BSED Social Studies program.

Qualitative research methods will be used in order to collect data from the said group.

This study is limited only to Bicol University, College of Education, Social Studies

Program because of certain circumstances like the current worldwide pandemic.

Significance of the Study

 This study will be significant in the sense that it can aid the BUCE in marketing

and promoting the Social Studies program to the incoming college students more

effectively. This is also beneficial to the students and instructors to improve their

syllabus and to corporate strategies particularly in different concepts to effective and

efficient social studies students. By understanding what affects the decision of the

students and the benefits of the Social Studies program, these students and college

instructors are assured of good fits to a field of specialization. Furthermore, this

research will encourage what to choose as a major in accordance with the Social

Studies program. Moreover, this study will be helpful to boost the number of enrollee of

the Social Studies program. It will serve as a contribution to a useful tool for self-

discovery by providing a clear framework and the benefits or options that it offers. In

addition, it will educate and guide the incoming college students in taking Social Studies

as their field of specialization.