Systems Analysis of the Philippine Basic Education System: The Role of School Leadership

2026

Full-Length Peer-Reviewed Article

A key factor in improving the quality of teaching and learning is the seamless delivery of education. However, the complex relationships within the Philippine educational ecosystem have not been accurately understood, especially in terms of the interrelationships among various stakeholders. This research seeks to visually show this complexity and identify the points of intervention, which can be the basis for policy recommendations. Systems thinking tools like causal loop diagrams (CLDs) and system archetypes were used to study the educational ecosystem, based on 1) relevant Department of Education (DepEd) orders and memos, and 2) themes arising from focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews with DepEd leaders representing the region, division, specialists, and schools. Results show that the hierarchical structure and culture of bureaucracy can cause barriers in the effective policy implementation at the school level. Furthermore, the feedback mechanism at the school level shows complex relationships among school leadership, teacher engagement, school innovation, learning innovation, parent engagement, learner health and well-being, learner performance, school performance, support of partners, and support of DepEd and local government. Based on the feedback mechanisms and the creative strategies that were mentioned in the FGDs and interviews, several points of intervention were identified. Managing the communication and implementation of policies can be facilitated by the central office. At the school level, achievement of learning outcomes should involve teacher training for adaptive pedagogy and use of educational technologies to help in the mastery of literacy and numeracy skills. Developing competences of school heads should include the development of strategic mindset and innovation competences. Partnerships for innovation competences could also be tapped to assist and support these trainings. Finally, availability of educational data for use of researchers and administrators could improve policy, planning, and monitoring.

Philippine education system, systems analysis, school ecosystem, school leadership, innovation, points of intervention

Cuyegkeng Ma. Assunta C. “Systems Analysis of the Philippine Basic Education System The Role of School Leadership.” Philippine Journal of Public Policy: Interdisciplinary Development Perspectives, 2026: 1-37.