CHALLENGES OF THE NOVICE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION AMIDST THE PANDEMIC (KEY IJP************468)

• Rowena N. Lausa

Abstract

AbstractThe transition to distance learning created massive changes in different aspects which brought challenges and problems to the educational sector, specifically teachers who are on the frontline of the delivery of learning. The current study explored the challenges experienced by novice public school teachers in the implementation of distance education during the pandemic that are still happening today. The scope is limited to six (6) novice public elementary school teachers from New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, Philippines with less than three years of teaching experience in the public school. Data were collected by conducting a semi-structured interview using an interview guide. The findings of the study revealed that novice teachers encountered different challenges such as workload, assessment and evaluation, communication, and teaching and learning process. The coping mechanism was also identified as follows: support from colleagues and superiors, having a positive outlook, attending faculty meetings, webinars, and Learning Activity Cell. It also showed that novice teachers experienced difficulties in transitioning to the new setup of education but they are very positive in dealing with them. The support that they received from their colleagues and superiors inspired them to do their responsibilities despite the difficulties brought on by the pandemic. Moreover, most of the teachers perceived these challenges as motivation. Keywords: Novice teachers, challenges, coping, pandemic, distance education