Readiness of deped schools for internationalization

This study determined the level of readiness for internationalization of DepEd schools in the three (3) divisions of the Province of Surigao del Sur using the descriptive-survey method of research. Frequency, mean, Spearman Correlation and linear regression were the statistical tools used in the study. Findings revealed that most respondents were females with the age bracket of 48-60, married and Master’s Degree holders with adequate experience in teaching. As to k to 12 curriculum, all the respondent schools were very much ready for internationalization while on teachers’ qualification and student services, the schools were moderately ready but, less ready for physical plant and facilities. On managerial flexibility, for both investment decisions and marketing strategy, school head respondents were highly flexible in their management of the schools. Likewise, there is significant correlation between the extent managerial flexibility and readiness of schools for internationalization. However, there were internationalization challenges faced by the schools. Among them were the imbalance between the number of teachers, facilities and equipment, supplies, textbooks and the number of pupils, minimal budget for upgrading, or repair of buildings and other school facilities and the purchase of technology or ICT for instructional purposes. Managerial flexibility significantly influences the readiness of schools for internationalization. Thus, the higher the extent of managerial flexibility, the more ready are the schools in facing the challenges of internationalization. The more aware the respondents are the higher is their managerial flexibility. Since internationalization requires a lot of budget and thorough preparation, the more, respondent schools need to strengthen their public, private, academe partnership or linkages and intensify their strategies of earning additional income. A model for quality for internationalization and one-year internationalization plan for DepEd schools are proposed in the study.