Identifying Perceived Professional Development Needs of Teachers: Program Management Needs of Science Teachers in Kalinga Province

This study was conducted to determine the importance and competencies of the Kalinga national science teachers both in the secondary and the only government tertiary institution in the province of Kalinga, Philippines, as they relate to specific competencies in their field of specializations and to determine their professional development needs to be more competent in their chosen careers for both beginning and veteran science teachers. From the demographic characteristics of the respondents, females outnumbered the males in the teaching of science subjects. Marital status likewise for women did not hamper their teaching career for their families served as their inspiration and source of added information especially to current science issues. The science teachers of Kalinga, Philippines perceived the importance of the different areas of science program management especially in the use of multimedia equipment in classroom teaching. This is followed on the teaching of skills and concepts in animal care or veterinary technology. Coupled to this, they perceived the importance of integrating advance science subjects with selected topics on agriculture. Equally, they admitted that they were somewhat competent in teaching the different areas of program management in science due to lack of training. Corollary to this, they admitted that the curriculum should be reviewed to include technology and agricultural subjects so that they can compete to the world arena of competition on science; hence, students will not be left behind to the call of the world on technology. Thus, science teachers in Kalinga, Philippines both in the National Secondary School and the Kalinga State University (KSU), Philippines being the only government tertiary school in the province, perceived the need to develop the science program of the province.