Working Beyond Assigned Duties: Non-Teaching Personnel as the Operational Backbone of the School

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of non-teaching personnel in sustaining school operations at a large public secondary school in Bacolod City. The study sought to understand how non-teaching personnel perceived their roles, found meaning in public service, navigated workplace challenges, sustained their commitment, and identified organizational conditions necessary for effective school operations. Eight purposively selected participants representing various non-teaching positions were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed through Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Five interconnected themes emerged: Working Beyond Assigned Duties: Non-Teaching Personnel as the Operational Backbone of the School; Finding Meaning in Service: Commitment, Fulfillment, and Purpose in Supporting the School Community; Carrying the Invisible Weight: Navigating Organizational and Personal Challenges; Remaining Steadfast Through Adaptation, Relationships, and Purpose; and Envisioning Better Support: Building Conditions Where Non-Teaching Personnel Can Thrive. The findings revealed that non-teaching personnel perform indispensable yet often unrecognized roles that extend beyond their formal responsibilities. Despite increasing workloads, limited resources, and evolving administrative demands, they sustained school operations through resilience, collaboration, adaptability, and a strong sense of public service. These lived experiences culminated in the eidetic insight that sustaining school operations is an expression of quiet stewardship, where non-teaching personnel uphold the daily life of the school through responsible and committed service. Based on these findings, the study developed the Non-Teaching Personnel Support and Empowerment Program (NTSEP) to strengthen professional development, organizational support, employee well-being, and participatory practices in public schools.

Doctor of Philosophy Major in Educational Management

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