CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
A Thesis Proposal Presented to the Graduate School of
Saint Joseph Institute of Technology,
Butuan City
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree Master of Arts on Education
Lovely T. Paraiso
February 2025
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
Introduction
Senior High School (SHS) is a critical phase that helps students prepare for
their next steps in life, whether they plan to pursue higher education or enter the
workforce. According to the Department of Education (2021), this stage equips
learners with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen paths.
However, the journey is not without challenges. SHS students often face difficulties
that can affect their academic performance, emotional well-being, and overall
readiness for the future (World Health Organization, 2022). This study focuses on
the unique challenges experienced by SHS students at Vinapor National High
School, aiming to explore insights that can guide educators, administrators, and
relevant stakeholders in creating meaningful interventions and support systems.
By addressing these challenges, the study aspires to contribute to the overall
success and well-being of SHS learners in this specific context.
`This study is grounded in Republic Act No. 10533, also known as the
Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic of the Philippines, 2013). This
law restructured the Philippine basic education system by adding two years of
Senior High School to ensure students receive quality and relevant education. The
law emphasizes the importance of preparing learners for lifelong learning,
employability, and adaptability in a rapidly changing world. By examining the
challenges faced by SHS students at Vinapor National High School, this research
aligns with the objectives of the law and seeks to enhance educational programs
to better address the specific needs of these learners. In doing so, it supports the
vision of RA 10533 to provide every Filipino student with an education that sets
them up for a successful future.
All over the world, studies show that senior high school students face many
challenges. In the United States, for example, students often deal with stress from
schoolwork, emotional struggles, and mental health issues (Twenge, 2021;
American Psychological Association, 2022). Most of the research looks at large
groups of students from across the country, giving us a general idea of what
challenges many students face. However, these studies don’t always focus on the
experiences of students in smaller or less-equipped schools. In places like
Singapore and China, research has also shown that pressure from exams and
academic competition adds to students' stress (Cheung & Lau, 2020; Lee & Lim,
2022). However, we still need more studies that explore how these challenges mix
with things like culture and emotional growth in these countries.
This study aims to take a closer look at the challenges faced by senior high
school students in a specific place—Vinapor National High School. While
international studies help us understand common trends, they don’t always show
the full picture of what it’s like for students in one particular school. This research
will focus on the experiences of students at Vinapor National High School, looking
at how different factors—like their personal life, the school environment, and the
community—affect their challenges.
In the Philippines, research on senior high school students often looks at
academic performance, access to education, and how the new K-12 system is
working (Department of Education, 2021). While this gives us useful information,
it doesn’t always look at the specific struggles that students in different schools’
face. Studies in cities, for example, might not capture the challenges that students
in rural areas or smaller schools like Vinapor National High School experience.
Also, there’s not enough research about how things like family background,
culture, and the community affect students’ well-being and success in school.
This study aims to fill these gaps by focusing on the challenges faced by
senior high school students at Vinapor National High School. By looking closely at
this school, we can learn how things like family background, community support,
and access to resources impact students’ experiences. We will also explore how
the school itself influences these challenges. The goal of this research is to provide
teachers, school leaders, and decision-makers with the information they need to
create better solutions and support systems for the students at Vinapor National
High School. By understanding their needs, we can help these students succeed
in a way that works best for them.
This study is important for a number of reasons. First, understanding the
challenges faced by senior high school students at Vinapor National High School
is key to supporting their overall growth and helping them move successfully to the
next stage in their lives. By identifying these challenges, the school can put in place
helpful programs, such as extra academic support, mental health counseling, and
career guidance, to improve student success and well-being. Second, the results
of this study will give educators, school leaders, and decision-makers a better
understanding of what students experience in the specific setting of Vinapor
National High School. These insights can help create better and more responsive
education programs that meet the needs and goals of the students. Ultimately, this
research aims to help students at Vinapor National High School face their
challenges, achieve their goals, and grow into responsible and productive
members of society in the Philippines.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
This study is based on Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory
(1979), which explains how a person’s growth is influenced by different layers of
their environment. The theory suggests that people live within a network of
interconnected environments. These range from the closest ones, like family and
school (microsystem), to broader influences, like cultural beliefs and government
policies (macrosystem). This theory is useful for understanding how different
factors—such as family relationships, the school environment, community support,
and societal expectations—affect senior high school students at Vinapor National
High School. It helps explain how these factors work together to shape students’
academic success, emotional health, and overall growth.
Other studies have also used this theory to understand the challenges
young people face. For example, Vélez-Agosto et al. (2017) studied how family,
school, and community influence the academic performance of Latino teenagers.
Bornstein et al. (2021) used this framework to look at how a family’s income and
environment affect child development in different cultures. Wang et al. (2020)
applied the theory to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted different
parts of young people’s lives, including their mental health and well-being. This
study builds on these examples by using the same theory to explore the unique
experiences of students at Vinapor National High School.
Challenges Experienced
Coping Mechanisms

Academic Challenges

Socio-emotional

Problem-focused
Challenges

Emotional-focused

Family and Socioeconomic Challenges
Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Study
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to determine the challenges experienced by Senior High
School students at Vinapor National High School, School Year 2024-2025.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What are the challenges experienced by Senior High School students at
Vinapor National High School in terms of:
1.1. Academic Challenges
1.2. Socio-emotional Challenges
1.3. Family and Socio-economic Challenges
2. What are the coping mechanisms utilized by Senior High School students
at Vinapor National High School to address these challenges?
2.1. Problem-focused coping mechanisms
2.2. Emotional-focused coping mechanisms
3. Which among the coping mechanisms is most or least adopted by the
students at Vinapor National High School?
4. What recommendations can be proposed to address the challenges
experienced by Senior High School students at Vinapor National High
School?
Significance of the Study
The result of the study will be beneficial to the following:
Teachers. This study will give teachers a clearer picture of what students
at Vinapor National High School are going through. This will help them create
programs like tutoring, counseling, and career guidance to better support students,
improve how lessons are taught and how classrooms are managed, and build a
school environment where students feel safe, supported, and included.
Parents and Guardians. The study will help parents and guardians
understand the challenges their children face at school and the resources available
to help them. With this knowledge, parents can offer emotional support, better
understand their children’s experiences, and work with the school to meet their
needs.
Students. This study will help students understand the challenges they face
and the support systems available to them. With this information, they can learn
how to deal with these challenges better and know where to turn for help when
needed.
Future Researchers. This study can serve as a starting point for others
who want to study the challenges and well-being of senior high school students. It
can inspire similar studies in other schools or deeper research into specific
problems students face.
Definition of Terms
To have a better understanding of the words and phrases used in this study,
the following are defined operationally.
Challenges. Refer to the difficulties or obstacles encountered by students
in their academic, social, emotional, or personal experiences within the school
setting. In this study, challenges are identified as factors that may hinder students’
academic performance, well-being, or overall development.
Experienced. Refers to the students’ direct encounter with or perception of
challenges in their school life. In this research, it is measured through tools such
as surveys, interviews, and observations to gain insights into the nature and impact
of these challenges.
Senior High School Students. Defined as learners enrolled in Grades 11
and 12 at Vinapor National High School. These students are part of the K-12
program and are transitioning toward higher education, employment, or other postsecondary pathways.