The Lived-Experiences of the Newly Hired Teachers in the Recruitment Process of DepEd-Division of Gumaca: Inputs for Policy Instruction

This study used the qualitative approach due to its concern with understanding the social phenomenon from the participant’s perspective (MacMillan & Schumacher, 2019). Specifically, the study adopted the phenomenological educational research. Through interview and other forms of communicating to the respondents of this study, the researcher gained clear, wide and specific knowledge as regards the lived experiences of newly hired teachers in the recruitment process. The respondents of the study were from the 3 schools namely, Progresso Elementary School, Gumaca West Elementary School, and Gumaca East Elementary School. This study aimed to determine the lived-experiences of the newly hired teachers in the recruitment process of the Department of Education which served as inputs for policy instructions during the school year 2024-2025. The experiences of the newly hired teachers in the recruitment / employment process. The respondents stated that the recruitment process for newly hired teachers in the Department of Education (DepEd) is strict and contains a lot of processes and methodical procedure. It was also mentioned by the respondents that the process was designed to not only assess qualifications but also prepare new teachers for the realities of the classroom. Additionally, the respondents concluded that it was both a stressful and exciting experience, as it represents the first step towards entering the educational system and clearly, the guidelines in the recruitment and employment process with the Department of Education (DepEd) were both challenging and enlightening. The insights that can be shared to the other newly hired teachers regarding the recruitment process. Most of the common insights presented by the respondents were: If unsure about any aspect of the process or the requirements, don't hesitate to reach out to the DepEd or your local school district for clarification; present yourself professionally in all communications and interactions. This includes dressing appropriately for interviews and speaking politely in all exchanges. Additionally, the respondents also mentioned the following: Familiarize yourself with the rights and protections that teachers have under Philippine law, including benefits and job security; The recruitment process may have unexpected turns, such as a change in interview dates or venue. Stay flexible and prepared to deal with changes; Ensure that all documents are complete, signed, and properly formatted, missing or incorrect documents can delay your application; If you don’t get hired right away, don’t be discouraged. Keep applying and learning from the experience and lastly, during the recruitment process, be honest about your qualifications, experiences, and any gaps in your background. Transparency will help build trust.