Randwick International of Education and Linguistics

Science (RIELS) Journal

Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2022 | Page 432-439 |
http://www.randwickresearch.com/index.php/rielsj

Impact of Socio-Economic Status on Educational and

Career Aspirations of Grade 10 Maguindanaon
Students at Esperanza National High School
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47175/rielsj.v3i3.531

| Elsie C. Laroco |
Esperanza National High ABSTRACT
School, Poblacion, Esperanza, Decision-making process relative to educational and career
Sultan Kudarat, Region XII, aspirations has a very significant part in planning career guidance
Philippines which helps the students to effectively choose the career
track/strand in senior high school curriculum. This study aimed to
investigate the influence of socio-economic status of students on
their educational and career aspirations. Descriptive correlational
research design was employed in which a researcher-made
checklist was answered by the randomly chosen Grade 10
Maguindanaon students. Frequency, percentage and Chi-square
were appropriately applied to provide good inferences and
implications of the results. Findings revealed that most of the
parents of Grade 10 Maguindanao students finished high school
level. Majority of the fathers were farmers and the mothers were
housekeepers whose combined monthly income ranged from
₱10,000 to ₱15,000. Socio-economic status of Maguindanao
students was significantly related to their educational and career
aspirations. Higher social standing of the parents led to the higher
educational and career aspirations. Low family income hampered
the students to take up career track with high standard. Thus,
Esperanza National High School should initiate an intervention
program to inspire Maguindanaon students to pursue their
educational and career aspirations despite of the financial woes
they experience in life.
KEYWORDS
Socio-economic status; educational; career; aspirations

INTRODUCTION
A career aspiration is a path that students want to become in the future. Students’ right
career aspirations before entering into the senior high school education have a significant
influence on their professional life and future accomplishment. A misperceived choice of
career track directs all individual efforts and resources into wrong direction, when not
aligned with the expectations and social standing of the parents; would not only be
frustrating rather draining of the individual intelligence and wastage of resources (Ahmed,
et al. 2017). Planning career guidance programs for Grade 10 students should be initiated
so that right career path will be expected and no repentance will happen at the end of the
day. For three years now, due to the implementation of senior high school curriculum,
Grade 10 students are confronted with the problem of having to decide on future career
paths. The decision what particular track or strand to take up in the senior high school is a
critical decision that students make at this time in their lives.

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Elsie C. Laroco

As emphasized by Pascual (2015), students’ career success can be best attained if the
career aspirations suited to their personality, ability, intellect and most especially to their
socioeconomic status serve as their guide in choosing the track or strand they are to take in
senior high school. It is expected that the course they will take up in college is related to
the track or strand they are enrolled in senior high school. Many students took courses in
college not related to the track or strand they had in senior high school (Palmes, 2018).
These students were found to have difficulty in coping up with the standard of their course.
The track or strand they had in senior high school curriculum was not related to their
course in college. Studies show that socio-economic profile has an effect on the
educational and career aspirations of the students. Educational and career aspirations
should be based from the social standing of the parents so that no frustration will happen in
the future.
Thus, this action research was conducted to guide the Maguindanaon students in their
educational and career aspirations. The diagram below illustrates how the variables were
statistically treated to give good analysis, interpretation and implication of the results.

Diagram 1. Research Model

Statement of the Problem

This action research generally aimed to determine the influence of the socio-economic
status of Grade 10 Maguindanao students on their educational and career aspirations.
Specifically, this study sought answers to the following questions:
1. What are the socio-economic profile of Grade 10 Maguindanao students in terms
of:
1.1 Father’s Educational Attainment;
1.2 Mother’s Educational Attainment;
1.3 Father’s Occupation;
1.4 Mother’s Occupation; and
1.5 Monthly Family Income?
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Elsie C. Laroco

2. What are the educational aspirations of the Grade 10 Maguindanaon students

relative to the senior high school offerings:
2.1 Academic Track;
2.2 Arts and Design Track;
2.3 Sports Track; and
2.4 Technical-Vocational Livelihood (TVL) Track?
3. What are the career aspirations of the Grade 10 Maguindanao students in terms of:
3.1 Starting a business,
3.2 Managing a company;
3.3 Being a public school teacher;
3.4 Being a social worker;
3.5 Being a peace keeper;
3.6 Being an engineer; and
3.7 Working abroad?
4. Is there a gender difference in the educational and career aspirations of Grade 10
Maguindanaon students?
5. Is the socio-economic status of Grade 10 Maguindanaon students significantly
related to their educational and career aspirations?

Innovation, Intervention and Strategy

Maguindanaon are the biggest Filipino Muslim in the Philippines. They are not only
known for their rich and beautiful cultures and traditions. They are also known for their
unique aspirations and struggles for their religion. The following intervention programs
were initiated by Esperanza National High School to inspire more Maguindanaon students
to value education and to increase the level of their educational and career aspirations: (1)
Each Maguindanaon teacher sponsors the school fees of at least one indigent
Maguindanaon student; (2) Monthly Islamic Symposium is conducted for them wherein
Arabic teachers and Maguindanaon professionals are invited to give inspirational message
and to share their experiences in achieving their successful educational and career
aspirations; (3) Muslim Student Organization (MSO) is created to produce potential
Maguindanao leaders who will serve as the voice of the whole Maguindanaon studentry;
(4) Identified malnourished students are offered with free lunch; and (5) PTA meeting
exclusive for Maguindanaon parents is conducted twice a semester to inspire the parents to
support the educational and career aspirations of their children.

RESEARCH METHODS
Research Design
This study employed a descriptive research design which examined the impact of the
socio-economic status of Grade 10 Maguindanaon students on their educational and career
aspirations.

Sources of Data and Information

Grade 10 Maguindanaon students served as the respondents of the study. To get the total
number of sample, Slovin’s (1960) equation was applied. Then, simple random sampling
technique was used to identify the individual respondents.

Data Gathering Methods

The diagram below shows the data gathering methods and statistical treatment of the study.

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Elsie C. Laroco

(1) Construction of (2) Validation of (3) Reliability of

the Checklist the Checklist the Checklist

(6) Distribution of (5) Orientation of (4) Approval of the

the Checklist to the Participants of School Principal to
the Participants the Study Conduct the Study

(9) Data Analysis

(7) Retrieval of the (8) Tabulation of  Frequency
Checklist the Gathered Date  Percentage
 t-test
 Chi-square

Diagram 2. Data Gathering

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Socio-economic Status of Grade 10 Maguinadanaon Students
Figures 1 and 2 present the educational attainment profile of the Grade 10 Maguindanaon
parents.

Figure 1. Educational Attainment of the Fathers of Grade 10 Maguindanaon Parents

Figure 1 shows that 40% of the Grade 10 Maguindanaon parents are high school
graduates; 15% are high school level; 14% are college graduates; 10% are elementary
graduates; 9% are elementary level; 8% are college level and only 4% has not gone to
school.

9% 5% 4%
15% College Graduate
14% College Level
High School Graduate
High School Level
16% Elementary Graduate
38% Elementary Level
Not Gone to School

Figure 2. Educational Attainment of the Mothers of Grade 10 Maguindanaon Parents

As shown, most of the mothers of the Grade 10 Maguindanaon students are high school
graduates; 16% are high school level; 15% are college level; 14% are elementary
graduates; 9% reached elementary level; 5% had not gone to school and only 4% finished
college degrees.
Figures 3 and 4 present the occupation of the parents f Grade 10 Maguindanaon
students.
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Figure 3. Occupation of the Fathers of Grade 10 Maguindanaon Parents

As shown, majority of the fathers of Grade 10 Maguindanao students are farmers; 22%
are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW); 15% are businessmen; 12% are construction
workers; 9% are teachers; 7% are government office workers and only 6% are laborers.

Figure 4. Occupation of the Mothers of Grade 10 Maguindanaon Students

Figure 4 shows that most of the mothers of Grade 10 Maguindanao students are
housekeepers; 22% are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW); 18% are businesswomen; 9%
are government office workers and only 8% are teachers.
The following table presents the combined monthly family income of the parents of
Grade 10 Maguindanaon students.

Table 1. Monthly Family Income of the Parents of Grade 10 Maguindanaon Students

Monthly Family Income (₱) Percentage
Above 50,000 1.04
45,001 – 50,000 0.89
40,001 – 45,000 2.76
35,001 – 40,000 1.04
30,001 – 35,000 2.05
25,001 – 30,000 10.25
20,001 – 25,000 12.89
15,001 – 20,000 8.12
10,001 – 15,000 38.85
5,000 – 10,0000 10.26
Below 5,000 11.85
Total 100

As shown, most of the parents of Grade 10 Maguindanaon students earn ₱10,001 –

₱15,000; 12.89% have a monthly income of ₱20,001 – ₱30,000; 11.85% have a monthly
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income of below ₱5,000; 10.26% of them earn ₱5,000 – ₱10,000; 10.25% of them have a
monthly income of ₱25,001 – ₱30,000; 8.12% of them earn
₱15,001 – ₱20,000; 2.76% earn ₱40,001 – ₱45,000; 2.05% of them earn ₱30,001 –
₱35,000; 1.04% of them enjoy a monthly income of above ₱50,000; 1.04% is happy to
receive a monthly income of ₱35,000 – ₱40,000 and only 0.89% earn ₱45,001 – ₱50,000.

Educational and Career Aspirations of Grade 10 Maguindanao Students By

Gender
To determine if there is a gender difference in the educational and career aspirations of
Grade 10 Maguindanaon students, Tables 2 and 3 present the results.

Table 3. Analysis on the Gender Difference on the Educational Aspirations of Grade 10

Maguindanaon Students
r x k Chi-square x2-Critical p-value Cramer’s V
(df = 119)
189.890* 124.342 0.001 0.648

Tracks Male Female Total

Academic 15 55 70
Arst and Design 8 5 13
Sports 5 1 6
TVL 30 2 32
Total 58 63 121
** - significant @ 0.01 level

Statistical findings revealed that there is a significant gender difference in the

educational aspirations of the Grade 10 Maguindanao students (x2-computed = 189.890 >
x2-critical = 124.342). This denotes that males preferred tracks that can give them
immediate jobs after high school graduation while females wanted to take up tracks that
can equip them with enough academic competence for higher education.

Table 4. Analysis on the Gender Difference of the Career Aspirations of

Grade 10 Maguindanaon Students
r x k Chi-square x2-Critical p-value Cramer’s V
(df = 119)
193.732* 124.342 0.000 0.742
Career Male Female Total
Starting a business 1 3 4
Managing a company 2 1 3
Being a public school teacher 3 28 31
Being a social worker 1 18 19
Being a peace keeper 25 1 26
Being an engineer 15 2 17
Working abroad 11 10 21
Total 58 63 121
** - significant @ 0.01 level

As found out, significant gender difference in the career aspirations of the Grade 10
Maguindanaon students is registered as x2-computed = 193.732 > x2-critical value =
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124.342). This means that males and females have different perceptions regarding their
career preference. The former wanted to be peace keepers such as policemen and security
guards and many of them preferred to be engineers. The latter wanted to be public school
teachers, social workers and many wanted to work abroad.
The two previous tables imply that males have different priorities compared with
females in terms of educational and career aspirations.

Socioeconomic Status, Educational and Career Aspirations of Grade 10

Maguindanaon Students
Table 5 presents the correlation analysis of socio-economic status and educational and
career aspirations of Grade 10 Maguindanao students.

Table 5. Correlation Analysis of Socio-Economic Status, Educational and Career

Aspirations of Grade 10 Students
Variables x2-Computed x2-Critical (df = p-value
119)
Socio-economic status and Educational 198.026** 124.342 0.000
Aspirations
Socio-Economic Status and Career 200.147** 124.342 0.000
Aspirations
** - significant @ 0.01 level

Correlation analysis shows that educational and career aspirations of Grade 10

Maguindanaon students are strongly influenced by their socio-economic status. This is
confirmed by all the x2-computed values of 198.026 and 200.147 which are all greater than
the x2-critical value of 124.342, respectively. This simply means that those students whose
social standing is high preferred to choose academic track to equip themselves for higher
education and those financial standing is low tend to choose Technical-Vocational
Livelihood (TVL) track to prepare for job opportunities upon high school graduation.

CONCLUSION
Most of the parents of Grade 10 Maguindanao finished high school education. Majority of
the fathers are farmers and most of the mothers are housekeepers. Their combined monthly
income ranges from ₱10,000 to ₱15,000 only. Males and females have significant
difference on their educational and career aspirations. Males prefer TVL track to prepare
for job and business opportunities and female choose to take up academic track to equip
themselves for higher education. Socioeconomic profile of Maguindanao students has a
positive impact on their educational and career aspirations.
Many Maguindanaon became very successful despite of the low level of the social
standing of the parents they had before. It is hereby recommended that those
Maguindanaon students who belong to the poverty line should apply for a part time job
such as being a working student so that they will be able to achieve the career that they
wish to. There are many poor Maguindanaon but deserving students taking up higher
courses in college. Esperanza National High School should initiate an intervention program
to inspire these students to pursue their educational and career aspirations despite of the
difficulties they experience in life.

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ISSN Online: 2723-2433 ISSN Print: 2723-2441
Elsie C. Laroco

REFERENCES
Ahmed, K. A., N. Shariff & N. Ahmad. (2017). Factors Influencing Students’ Career
Choices: Empirical Evidence from Business Students, Journal of Southeast Asian
Research, Vol. 2017, Article ID 718849, IBIMA Publishing
Bobiles, N. M. B. (2014). Factors Affecting the Course Preferences of fourth Year
Students of Northern Christian College Laboratory High School: Basis for the
Development of a Career Counseling Program, Northern Christian College, The
Institute for Better Life, Graduate School, Laog City
Ifeyinwa, M. C. (2017). Effect of Socio-Economic Status of Parents on Academic
Performance of Students in Technical Colleges in Delta State of Nigeria, International
Journal of Research (IJR), ISSN 2348-6848 (Online), 2348-795X (Print), Nigeria
Palmes, E. L. (2018). Course Preferences of Grade 12 Students: Its Relationship to the
Program Offerings of Public High Schools in Region XII, Doctoral Dissertation, Sultan
Kudarat State University, ACCESS, EJC Montilla, Tacurong City
Pascual, N. T. (2017). Factors Affecting High School Students’ career Preference: Basis
for Career Planning Program, International Journal of Sciences: Basis and Applied
Research (IJSBAR), ISSN 2307-4531

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