Mathematics Teachers’ Reflections on the National Learning Camp Implementation: An Exploratory Case Study

This study explored the reflections of five mathematics teachers who taught during the pilot implementation of the Philippine Department of Education’s National Learning Camp (NLC) in 2023. Reflection was defined as the teachers’ interpretation of their teaching experiences, practices, and observations during the camp. An exploratory case study design was employed, with an embedded quantitative component. Five purposively selected mathematics teachers participated in semi-structured interviews and classroom observations, and completed a six-item questionnaire on their perceptions of learners’ participation. Learners’ scores on a 30-item achievement test administered before and after the camp were also analyzed. Interview transcripts were examined through thematic content analysis. Findings revealed that although the teachers differed in their preparations, strategies, and self-assessed strengths, their reflections converged on a shared commitment to the program’s goals. Four major challenges emerged: inadequate preparation and resources, insufficient time, limited self-confidence and self-efficacy among novice volunteers, and unfavorable learner behavior. Teachers proposed concrete solutions for future implementation cycles. Learners’ achievement scores improved significantly after the camp, t(15) = 10.57, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 2.64, lending support to the teachers’ favorable impressions of the program. The study highlights the value of structured teacher reflection in learning recovery programs and offers implementation lessons for succeeding National Learning Camps. Given the small, purposively selected sample and the single-site design, the findings are exploratory and not intended for broad generalization; future studies should employ larger, more diverse samples and include learners, parents, and school administrators as participants.

learning camp, mathematics teachers, reflective practice, teaching practices, learning recovery

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