Challenges and Best Practices in the Implementation of the Open High School Program: A Phenomenological Study

The Open High School Program (OHSP) is a flexible learning initiative designed to provide secondary education opportunities to learners who are unable to attend regular classes due to work, family responsibilities, health conditions, distance, and other personal circumstances. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the implementation of the OHSP and the experiences of program coordinators in selected schools in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the challenges encountered in program implementation and the practices used to sustain program delivery. Nine program coordinators were purposively selected based on their direct involvement in managing and implementing the OHSP. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis to determine recurring patterns and themes from the participants’ experiences. Findings revealed that OHSP implementation is sustained through the strong commitment and adaptability of teachers and coordinators despite several operational and contextual challenges. Major concerns identified include limited communication and coordination systems, inadequate learning materials, insufficient human resource support, technological limitations, and varying levels of learner motivation and participation. Despite these challenges, participants described several effective practices that helped sustain implementation, including strengthened teacher-learner monitoring, flexible instructional adjustments, peer collaboration, localized support mechanisms, and active stakeholder involvement. The study concludes that although OHSP implementation continues to face structural and resource-related barriers, schools remain committed to ensuring educational access for marginalized learners through flexible and responsive practices. The findings imply the need for stronger institutional support, improved resource allocation, enhanced monitoring systems, and targeted capacity-building programs to strengthen policy and practice in the implementation of flexible learning programs.