Exploring the Experiences of Teachers in Delivering Education amid the Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic changes in the educational system, compelling public school teachers to adopt new learning modalities. While several studies explored what teachers experienced during the global health crisis, there had been a dearth of studies focusing on teachers handling learners who had just transitioned from the elementary to the secondary level of education. This study explored the lived experiences of fifteen Junior High School teachers teaching during the pandemic period. It was conducted in Tambulig District, Division of Zamboanga del Sur. The phenomenological research design was used, and the participants were selected through purposive sampling. An Interview Guide was utilized to gather the data that were analyzed using Moustakas' method of data analysis. The interviews conducted with the participants yielded several themes describing their experiences. The teachers had to deal with the limitations of modular distance learning during COVID-19, especially since the global health crisis was unprecedented. Not only the learners were unprepared for the abrupt change from the face-to-face instruction but even the teachers themselves. Nevertheless, the inadequacy of training for distance learning pushed the teachers to adopt modalities that could foster the continuity of education amid challenging times. They also innovated their instruction to compensate for the absence of physical interaction that traditional classes offered. Notwithstanding the limited training on distance learning, the teachers demonstrated commitment and resilience to engage in remote teaching. They forged professional collaboration and sought professional upgrading to teach effectively through remote means. The study concluded that the teachers were committed and dedicated to their teaching profession by overcoming the challenges experienced. Thus, school administrators need to upgrade the school facilities, innovate their learning materials, and expose teachers to various professional activities and training to make them better equipped and prepared with the knowledge they can use during the most challenging times.