ARE WE THERE YET? - EXPLORING ON-THE-JOB TRAINING OF THE PHILIPPINE PRE-SERVICE BIOLOGY STUDENTS

Critical assessment using Context-Input-Process-Product (CIPP) model of the research- and laboratory-based on-the-job training (OJT) program of pre-service biology teacher highlights this study. Researcher-made instrument anchored on CIPP checklist and interview protocols deduced pertinent data from the third year pre-service biology teachers in two consecutive years. Results show that OJT students assessed the OJT program as ‘effective’ in the aspects of context and input. Furthermore, they evaluated the process and product of the OJT program as ‘very effective’. Over-all, a significant difference occurred in the program assessment rating of the OJT students for the two consecutive years, in favor of the most recent year as an improved OJT program. All the aspects of the CIPP model significantly change for better assessment in the recent year except for the product construct. Qualitatively, verbal comments and interview responses of the participants provided good qualities of the OJT program that needs to be sustained for better implementation of theory-practice framework. OJT students’ negatively stated verbal comments, however, provided inputs for enhancement of the OJT program in order to help pre-service education train for scientifically literate students to ultimately reach the goal of sustainable development and lifelong learning of Filipino learners.