Pedagogical Strategies in Araling Panlipunan: Utilization, Challenges, and Effectiveness in Santiago City Public Secondary Schools

Education systems worldwide are focusing on how effective teaching strategies can boost student learning. This study took a closer look at how teaching methods are used, the challenges faced, and how effective they are in Araling Panlipunan among public secondary school teachers in the Philippines. The goal was to determine how well these methods work, figure out what affects their use, understand the problems teachers face, and look at the solutions put in place to tackle these issues. This study used a descriptive survey research design and involved 24 teachers selected through total population sampling. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires and unstructured interviews. The analysis included frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s r correlation, t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings showed that teaching strategies were effective, with an overall mean score of 4.15, indicating that the teachers used a variety of approaches to improve student learning. Learner-centered methods such as games and simulations, role-playing, and brainstorming were seen as highly effective, highlighting the importance of interactive and participatory techniques in learning. Factors such as teacher competence, instructional planning, and resource availability were key in influencing the use of teaching strategies. However, there were significant challenges, such as a lack of instructional materials, insufficient funds, and time constraints, which were major concerns for the teachers. Interventions such as providing instructional materials, teacher training, and administrative support have been widely implemented and have positively impacted teaching effectiveness. The study concludes that while teaching strategies in Araling Panlipunan are effective, ongoing institutional support is crucial for overcoming existing challenges and improving teaching practices in the subject.