Universal Journal of Educational Research

ABSTRACT

The study critically explored secondary school heads' lived experiences in strategically leading toward reducing the SARDOS phenomenon. The research employed phenomenology, which prioritizes and puts premium on the meaning and describing the essence of the experience. Document analysis and a validated and pilot-tested semi-structured interview guide were used to collect data from the three junior and senior high school principals in a district with a similar community context. The responses were transcribed verbatim, translated the Filipino words, and two cycles of coding were used to group the responses. Thematization and abstraction were then applied to analyze the qualitative data gathered from the interview. Four general themes surfaced from the participants' lived experiences. The context and early warning signs of SARDOS generated six themes, which can be grouped into personal factors, family factors, and school factors. The school head's concept and practices of strategically leading produced four themes: leading by influence, leading with a purpose, leading with a strategy, and leading through experience. The hindrances and barriers identified by the participants in leading strategically were unique in each school. Support from classmates, parents, teachers, barangay, schools' division office, and local government is needed to address the contagion of SARDOS phenomenon. Relating the lived experiences of the school heads in leading strategically towards reducing the SARDOS vis-a-vis Domain 1 of PPSSH, the participants can still improve on utilizing the learner voice and research findings, monitoring and evaluation for an improved-decision making towards implementation of programs and innovation in reducing SARDOS.

KEYWORDS: 

leading strategically, SARDOS, PPSSH Domain 1, phenomenology, lived experience