Home⇛NRCP Research Journal⇛vol. 24 no. 2 (2025)

Towards a Sustainable Research Advising and Mentoring Program in Senior High School: Insights from a Leading Research-Oriented Institution in the Philippines

Christian P Gopez | April Rose C. Gonzales | Nathaniel Rey D. Ferrer | Generie M. Manuel | Kate Joy R\N. Fabroa

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

The introduction of Practical Research courses in senior high school (SHS) highlights the Philippines’ continuous efforts to improve the status of research in basic education but also unravels critical challenges for education stakeholders. Being part of a research-oriented institution, the De La Salle University Senior High School (DLSU SHS) designed and implemented a Research Advising and Mentoring Program (RAMP) to support research activities in more structured and sustainable ways. Since research advising programs are not usually part of the basic education system, this article identifies and describes the key features of DLSU SHS’s RAMP through the perspectives of its main stakeholders: Research Mentees, Research Advisers, and Research Program Administrators. Data were collected through qualitative surveys, focus group discussions, and document and archival analysis. Thematic analysis yielded eight core features: 1) Presence of Research Mentors and Research Advisers, 2) Deliberate Topic-Adviser Alignment, 3) Regular Consultations, 4) Collaborative Environment, 5) Sufficient Financial Support, 6) Functional Facilities and Platforms, 7) Strategic Exposure to Research Opportunities, and 8) Reflective and Learner-Centered Process. The findings suggest that the program’s success and sustainability are grounded in these interrelated features, which collectively enhance research quality and cultivate a sustained culture of mentorship, critical reflection, and scholarly engagement within the SHS context. Furthermore, these features may serve as a benchmark for other Philippine senior high schools as they navigate ongoing curricular reforms in basic education and address the broader challenges posed by the current educational landscape, particularly in preparing students for research-oriented university environments.



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