EXPLORING THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY OF BREADWINNERS SENIOR

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES

AT MANUEL G. ARAULLO HIGH SCHOOL

A Research Paper Presented to The Senior

High School Faculty Manuel G.
Araullo High School
_________________________________________

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the

Course Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion
(III)
___________________________________________

JILLIAN MARIE FERNANDEZ

MANSAWI MINDALANO
ASHTEVEN KYLE LIM
LORIELAI GUEVARA
SHAREE BAYOT
of
12 – GAS

March 2024

JOEFREY R. CHAN
Subject Teacher
III
 CHAPTER 1
The Problem and Its Settings
Introduction
It introduces a study focusing in the academic experiences of youth breadwinners aiming to understand how
socio-economic factors and family impact their education (Macdonald, 2011). A foreign study by Bliss et. al
(2023), families have always been the primary source of income; individuals work a variety of extracurricular
activities and take on second jobs in order to provide for their families. Most people who earn a living think it's
necessary. Being a member of a community and social network that loves and accepts people for who they are as
individuals is something that most breadwinners think is vital.

The main sign that they have sufficient social support is that they feel loved, accepted, and have people who
listen to them. Despite this, the breadwinners continue to maintain the idea that their families are a major source of
social support, given the analysis of the available support. The findings of this study are consistent with those of
Diaz and Bui's (2017). The results showed that breadwinners are willing to continue living their lives and realizing
their goals in spite of these conditions and the weight of family obligations.

After assessing their lifestyles with contentment, the The sensation of contentment that breadwinners
displayed indicates that their degree of well-being was high, which elevated their assessment of it. While the
number of households with a traditional division of labor—a male sole earner and a female stay-at-home spouse—
decreased, the proportion of two-earner households more than doubled from 25% to nearly 60% between 1960 and
1990 (Wang, Parker, and Taylor 2013). As a result, the household's structure with one primary breadwinner was
maintained even though the number of earners rose. Two-earner households have evolved over time into dual-
breadwinner households with two comparatively equal breadwinners who both have significant earnings and
investments in human capital (Benson, 2015).

This study aims to Explore the Educational Journey of Breadwinners in Senior High School and their
Academic Experiences at Manuel G. Araullo High School. The purpose is to gain insights into the unique
challenges and opportunities that are faced by youth breadwinners, as well as to identify ways to support their
academic development. The purpose of this research study is to investigate the academic experiences of senior high
school students at Manuel G. Araullo High School and their educational journeys. This study aims to investigate
the elements that influence these students' academic performance and educational attainment, with a focus on
understanding how these students' socioeconomic position and family responsibilities affect their educational
successes. In an attempt to provide guidance for classroom interventions and policies that will support academic
success for Breadwinners Senior High School students at Manuel G. Araullo High School, this study examines
these characteristics.

Conceptual Paradigm and Conceptual Framework

This study revolves two variables. The independent variable, "Breadwinner," refers to the primary income
earner in a household. The dependent variable, "Working Student" is measured through 3 aspects: Time
Management: Balancing work, studies, and personal life is a significant challenge. Effective time management is
crucial for working students to ensure they can meet their academic deadlines while fulfilling work commitments.
(Briones, 2023). Financial Management: Many students work part-time jobs to support their education financially.
They need to manage their earnings to cover tuition fees, study materials, and living expenses. (Amor et al. 2020).
Academic Performance: Maintaining good grades is important for working students. They must find a way to keep
up with their coursework and study effectively despite the additional time constraints imposed by their jobs.
(Autida, 2023).

Scope and Delimitation

The purpose of this study is to investigate the academic path chosen by senior high school students at
Manuel G. Araullo High School who are designated as "Breadwinners." It aims to investigate their experiences in
the classroom, their academic achievement, and their relationships with peers and teachers. Additionally, it will
take a look at the financial status of Breadwinners students and how it affects their academic experiences and
educational path. Qualitative research techniques like observations and interviews will be employed for deep
understanding.

The study will only involve senior high school students who are enrolled in Manuel G. Araullo High
School. Students from other schools or areas will not be included. The study is only intended for seniors in high
school, junior high and primary pupils will not be included. To ensure that the study is focused and has a clear
period value, it will be carried out within a specific academic year or term. To promote successful communication
and understanding, the study will also take into consideration the language and cultural environment that is
common at Manuel G. Araullo High School. Additionally, factors that have no impact on the educational
environment, such as community influences or relationships within families, will not be included unless they have
a clear effect on the student's academic experiences.

Significance of the Study

The study would help the student who is the breadwinner, as they would learn about themselves and how to
handle similar situations. It would also benefit to society as a whole, as they would gain insight into what it's like
to be a student who provides for their family. The results of this study would make society aware of how difficult it
is to be a student and breadwinner.

Teachers and administrators would also benefit from this study since it would enable them to determine
whether the behavior of students who are breadwinners differs from that of other students. Future researchers
would also benefit from this research because it can be used as a foundation or guidance that would be

Definition of Terms
The Following Terms are defined conceptually or operationally:

Breadwinner. a member of a family whose wages supply the family's principal or only means of support - (Mark
Bittman)

Academic Experiences. refers to the range of educational activities and situations students encounter throughout
their academic career, from classroom instruction and independent study to group projects and extracurricular
involvement. Academic experiences encompass not just what is learned but also how it is learned, including the
development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and the application of knowledge in practical
settings (Ramoroka, 2014).

Educational Journey. The comprehensive progression of a student's learning experiences spanning from early
education through higher education or lifelong learning. This journey includes formal instruction in classroom
settings, informal learning, personal development, and professional growth that occurs throughout an individual's
life. The educational journey is unique to each student and may be influenced by a variety of factors such as
personal motivation, societal expectations, institutional environments, support systems, and individual life
circumstances (Indriyani & Firdaus, 2021) (Alfonso et al., 2022).

Manuel G. Araullo High School. A specific educational institution that serves as the setting for the study, where
the experiences and academic performance of breadwinner senior high school students are explored and analyzed
 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Education and Poverty

Poverty and significant differences in the beginning stages are substantially connected development.
Children from low-income families frequently lack the means to live in a suitable home, food, clothes, and books,
and they frequently lack access to early childhood education and high-quality child care either to health care or
education (Hernandez, 2011). The ability to read is essential to learning, development, and enjoyment. One
important measure of student understanding is their ability to read and understand text in a variety of formats and
situations achievement in life and in the classroom (Lance & Hofschire, 2012). Schools must offer books, healthy
food, medical attention, and a safe environment in order to address poverty. Since low-income kids usually have
less material at home, it is important that books are easily accessible for pupils to use and take with them when
they get home (Krashen, 2011).

In an effort to create an environment where effective learning can occur, educational institutions in areas of
high poverty have tried to address the needs of their students by implementing programs that take care of their
most basic need (Wilson, 2012). Study have indicated that students living in poverty do better in school, with a
greater percentage of them falling below grade level and overall own low or average marks. For students living in
poverty, these educational issues present a severe disadvantage (Murphy & Tobin, 2011). Students who are viewed
as having academic success is less likely for those with intellectual problems based only on socioeconomic
background. It takes unbiased instructional support to raise the chances of improved student achievement. (Gorski,
2013).

Many kids from poverty attend school without the essential social-emotional reactions required to
successfully build connections with their teachers and fellow students (Jensen, 2013). Raising student achievement
will result from giving disadvantaged pupils a secure environment where they feel supported and safe. This will
guarantee that their requirements are satisfied (Budge & Parrett, 2018). Every student has the chance to learn in a
society where variety is valued and where all students are treated as equals when they are included in our
classrooms (Katz, 2012). Students living in poverty will have a better chance of performing academically in an
inclusive classroom if early intervention measures are put into place (Jones, Wilson, Clark, & Dunham, 2018).
Contributing Factors that Result to being Working students
As a result of a desire to reduce debt and loans, (Kavarana,2013) found that there was an increase in the
number of working students. Students felt compelled to borrow less in order to pay a larger portion of the tuition.
The sense of accomplishment and fulfillment one gets from pushing oneself to the limit and demonstrating to the
outside world that one can effectively manage their time and make the most of it by working and studying
simultaneously is another advantage. This is accomplished by setting oneself up for success by requiring twice as
much work and leading two distinct lifestyles. It is also believed that this kind of attitude shows people's capacity
for hard effort and perseverance—qualities that any company would want to hire. (Alli,2010) emphasized that
combining work and education is essential for success and serves as the cornerstone for one's future and career,
regardless of financial concerns or future employment opportunities, combining work and education is essential for
success and serves as the cornerstone for one's future and career, regardless of financial concerns or future
employment opportunities.

Some researchers also pay attention to how working students use their time in addition to the studies
mentioned above. Therefore, a student's time spent studying academic material decreases as they work longer
(Greene & Maggs, 2015; 2017). According to Mathuews (2018), working time poverty and students' experiences
with time restrictions are typically linked. Examining the impact of student work on educational attainment is
extremely pertinent, since every adolescent must decide between beginning a student job and using this time for
school (Triventi, 2014). Part-time employment, particularly in the higher education sector, is frequently seen by
students as an introduction to the real world that will help with their personal and professional growth (Tymon,
2013)

Academic Performance in Relation to Being a Working Students

According to (Peteros, 2021) financial constraints made students work. These students must strike a balance
between their studies and jobs. Although there are many other reasons why students work, the most frequent one is
to pay for their education (Muico & Requinto, 2022). It's challenging for students to study while working. This is
demonstrated by earlier research. Even more, students who pursue part-time jobs may see a decline in their
academic performance (Muluk, 2017). However, Darolia (2014) discovered that students who work in schools
perform better academically as a result of their employment.
 Students who work typically struggle with scheduling because their employment and school schedules do
not align. Thus, in addition to time, additional elements that impact student performance include distance, cost, the
physical environment, and the psychological environment. (Amor et al. 2020). It is important to know how students
view the influence of their work on their academic performance. For negative students, a reasonable workload and
course load should be combined. Studies by Zhang et al. (2019). According to Triventi (2014), those who work
full-time typically have less time for school-related activities and academic study. Working students' academic
performance suffers as a result of this. One of the disadvantages of being a working student, according to Montaner
et al. (2020), is that they frequently lack time, which leaves them with little time for study and sleep, and they
frequently develop poor eating habits. A working student must put in a lot of effort in both his education and his
career. Coral et al. (2020). Many students work as children while they study in order to survive and be practical
(Reyes, 2020).
 CHAPTER 3
Methods of Research and Procedure

This chapter presents the research design, participants of the study, instruments and detailed
procedure that will be utilized in this study. It also describes how the data will be presented and analyzed.

Research Design
The researchers chose a qualitative research, one to one interview design for data collection and
analysis in order to easily and effectively gather information about the educational journey and academic
experiences of breadwinner senior high school students at Manuel G. Araullo High School. As explained by
Bhandari (2020), qualitative research is the process of gathering and interpreting non-numerical data (such
as text, video, or audio) in order to better understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be applied to
obtaining detailed insights into a topic or to developing new concepts for research.

Sampling Technique
The study used purposive sampling, which is a non-probability sampling. Purposive sampling is a
technique for finding and choosing instances that will make the most use of few research resources (Kelly
2010). It is "used to select respondents that are most likely to provide appropriate and useful
information"(Palinkas et al., 2015). The researchers will select participants from senior high school in
Manuel G. Araullo High School on the following criteria:
A. Senior high student breadwinner.

Participants of the study

In this study, the researchers focused on a purposive sample of senior high school students aged 17
and older enrolled at Manuel G. Araullo High School. These individuals were not only pursuing their
academic goals but also shouldering significant family responsibilities as breadwinners. The selection
criteria ensured a representation of students who, despite their young age, have taken on the economic
support of their families, balancing educational commitments with work obligations.
Data Gathering Procedure
Upon sending a formal letter of permission, and getting an approval, the researches of this study will
try to find suitable participants in their criteria, that being:

a. A Breadwinner Senior High School Student that study in Manuel G araullo High School. B. has given
permission to take part in the study. After fulfilling these requirements, a survey is provided to the
participants asking for their basic personal information, and subsequently conducted separate interviews in
order to more room for people to share their personal stories as opposed to going along with the majority,
apprehensive about criticism.

Research Locale
The study was conducted at Manuel G. Araullo High School. the school has a separate building for
each grade level and each room have their own TV to make teaching easier for teachers. The school has its
own auditorium and audio-visual rooms where programs and special occasions are accommodated and a
wide space in the amadome and covered court for students for events and seminars. The research locale
ensures safety and protection for both the participants and researcher during the intervention for it will be
held inside the school campus and the researchers will have a consent for each participant.

Research Instruments
The researchers in this study will use a set of structured interview questions. carefully organized
responses to a set of questions by a team of individuals intended to gather facts and data. Additionally,
based on the participants' comments, a follow-up interview will be held. in response to the survey's
question. The interview's questioning will consist of the researchers' research problem, particularly any
additional aspects they could beyond the primary ones that were cited in the poll. Finding out about the
academic journeys and experiences of the breadwinner students at Manuel G. Araullo High School is the
aim of the questionnaires and interviews.
Summary of the Research Procedure, Instruments, and Data Analysis
The researchers chose qualitative methods to collect information about the educational journey and
academic experiences of breadwinner senior high school students at Manuel G. Araullo High School. By
engaging with participants, the researchers sought to understand their different perspectives and
experiences. Through the use of interviews and surveys, the researchers aimed to find out factors affecting
the participants' educational journey and academic experiences, such as which classes they choose, what
activities they do outside of class, the problems they deal with, and what they think about the school. These
tools served as a means for participants to share how being the main provider for their families affects their
educational journey and academic experiences.

Ethical Consideration
Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of breadwinner students from Senior High School at
Manuel G. Araullo High School is paramount in researching their academic journeys. By valuing their
privacy, participants can share their experiences freely without fear of judgment or negative repercussions.
Therefore, throughout the research process, from gathering data to presenting findings, adhering to ethical
principles is crucial to ensure that participants' rights are respected.

A. Before participation in any research activities, participants should be fully informed about the purpose,
procedures, potential risks, and benefits of the study. They must understand how their information will be
collected, used, and stored. Consent forms should clearly outline these details, allowing participants to
make an informed decision about their involvement. To protect participants' identities, researchers should
take measures to anonymize data collected during the study. Personal identifiers such as names, addresses,
and contact information should be removed or replaced with codes to ensure confidentiality. Additionally,
researchers should store all data securely, limiting access to authorized personnel only. The possible harm
that participants might suffer as a result of their participation must be considered by researchers. This
includes psychological suffering or unexpected effects from sharing private information. It is important to
make an effort to reduce this kind of harm by providing clear communication, support systems, and, if
necessary, referrals to the right resources. The freedom to leave the study at any moment without
consequences should be granted to participants. If they request it, researchers should honor their choice and
make sure their data is taken out of the analysis. Before publication or distribution, participants should also
have the chance to evaluate their contributions and offer criticism. The participants in the study come from
a variety of backgrounds, thus researchers should approach the study with cultural sensitivity and
knowledge. Respecting cultural norms, values, and beliefs that could affect participants' viewpoints on
education and academic experiences is part of this. Respecting cultural norms, values, and beliefs that could
affect participants' viewpoints on education and academic experiences is part of this. Transparency and
accountability should be upheld by researchers at every stage of the investigation. This entails being open
and honest about the study's limits, declaring any conflicts of interest, and abiding by the ethical standards
established by pertinent regulatory agencies or institutions.
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