Authors : Mary Joy M. Esoy; Mary Daphne P. Silvestre

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5dransft

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/9fpc98bs

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr1154

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Effective school management is essential in achieving educational goals, particularly in integrated schools where multiple grade levels are supervised under one administration. Along this view, this study explored the management practices of school heads in Integrated Schools of Malaybalay City division, school year 2024-2025. Following the research design of transcendental phenomenology, the data were gathered through in-depth interviews, which revealed five management practices of the school heads in integrated schools: promoting fairness while meeting each department’s unique needs, flexibility in responding to urgent tasks and respecting teachers’ personal circumstances, delegating tasks and fostering teamwork to ease workload, coping with poor facilities, unequal resources, and limited funding, and emphasizing equitable opportunities for professional growth. The participants encountered challenges: difficulties in fostering teacher cooperation and participation, leadership challenges in integrated school management, incorporating technology and providing digital assistance, promoting equity through student-focused education. With the challenges encountered, the schools’ heads coped through managing time, tasks, and priorities through scheduling, delegation, and organization; engaging teachers, parents, and stakeholders in collective decision-making, identifying problems, prioritizing solutions, and applying evidence-based strategies; adjusting to diverse personalities, needs, and unexpected challenges with flexibility; and, integrating technology and data-driven tools to enhance efficiency and outcomes.

Keywords : School Head, Integrated School, Management Practices, Challenges Encountered, Coping Mechanism.

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