CHARACTER TRAITS AT HOME AND BEHAVIORAL TRAITS AT SCHOOL OF PRIMARY GRADE LEARNERS: FOUNDATION FOR AN ENHANCED SCHOOL VALUES FORMATION PROGRAM

Character traits at home and behavioral traits at school of primary grade learners play a crucial role in shaping their holistic development. This study aimed to determine the character traits at home and behavioral traits at school of primary grade learners in Dampay Elementary School, Palauig District, Schools Division of Zambales, during the School Year 2024-2025. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational design, the study involved 100 primary grade learners and their teachers, selected through total population sampling. Data were gathered using validated researcherdesigned questionnaires with reliability coefficients of α = 0.92, α = 0.93, and α = 0.99, respectively. Findings revealed that primary grade learners were predominantly 6-year-old males in Grade 1, with two siblings, belonging to families earning ₱19,999 or below, whose learning facilitators were high school graduates, and spent less than one hour studying daily. Their character traits at home were frequently demonstrated in socio-emotional traits and academic responsibility, and always demonstrated in personal traits and life skills. Behavioral traits at school, as perceived by both learners and teachers, were frequently performed in empathy, ownership, perseverance, and time management. Significant differences were found between character traits at home and profiles in terms of age, sex, grade level, number of siblings, and learning facilitators’ education, but not in family income or study hours. A strong positive significant correlation was observed between character traits at home and behavioral traits at school as described by learners, while a weak negative non-significant correlation was found in teacher descriptions. This study contributes to understanding the interplay between home and school traits and provides an enhanced school values formation program aimed at improving learners’ character and behavioral traits, fostering their socio-emotional and academic growth.