Abstract
Teachers-in-charge and principals in basic education are responsible for the school operations and yet they encounter challenges in utilizing school resources. With this, a multiple case study was conducted to discover teachers-in-charge and school principals' unique experiences, coping mechanisms, and insights about utilizing school resources. Case one involved seven teachers-in-charge who were subjected to in-depth interviews. Case two, on the other hand, involved seven principals who participated in the focus group discussion. Thematic analysis was used to identify essential themes and followed the cross-case method to identify similarities between the two cases. The common experience themes between the two cases were multitasking due to insufficient personnel and adjusting to the lack of existing facilities. The coping mechanism that was common to the two cases was welcoming community support. Lastly, the common theme between the two cases for insights and lessons was fostering positive relationships is essential in building trust. The study further found that adequate funding is necessary for school heads to maintain smooth school operations. Flexibility and adaptability in addressing the real-time needs of the school are paramount. Prioritizing resource allocation and implementing innovative strategies to maximize resource utilization were also highlighted as essential. Creating an open and supportive environment allows school heads to build strong relationships with the school community, fostering higher engagement and commitment to the school's mission. This study serves as valuable information for researchers planning to investigate related topics.
