Entrepreneurial Intention and Competencies Among Senior High School Students in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur

This study examined the entrepreneurial intention and competencies of senior high school students in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. A total of 300 Grade 12 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling from public secondary schools representing the ABM, STEM, HUMSS, and TVL strands, with equal distribution of male and female students. A descriptive–correlational design was employed, and data were gathered through a validated survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to determine the levels of entrepreneurial intention and competencies, while Pearson’s correlation, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA were employed for inferential analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that entrepreneurial intention was generally high (M = 3.90, SD = 0.42), with role models (M = 4.18) and curriculum (M = 3.96) exerting the strongest influence, and family background rated moderate (M = 3.57). Entrepreneurial competencies were also high overall (M = 3.89, SD = 0.47), with opportunity (M = 4.18), commitment (M = 4.12), and conceptual skills (M = 4.05) rated highest, while relationship (M = 3.55) and organizing (M = 3.60) were rated moderate. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial intention and competencies (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), confirming that higher intention is associated with stronger entrepreneurial skills. Significant differences were found in both intention (p = 0.012) and competencies (p = 0.021) when grouped by gender, and in both variables when grouped by strand (p < 0.001), but not by age. The findings conclude that entrepreneurial readiness among Bayugan City students is strongly shaped by curriculum and role models, while gaps in relationship and organizing skills highlight areas for improvement in the K–12 program. Keywords: Entrepreneurial intention; entrepreneurial competencies; senior high school; stratified random sampling; Pearson correlation; Bayugan City