Indigenous Knowledge and Practices on Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction in Coastal Areas

AUTHOR(S)

MA. AIMEE F. YABAO

ABSTRACT

— Despite the growing global and national demand for electronics engineers, enrollment in the Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering (BSECE) program in the Philippines continues to decline. While previous studies have explored general trends in student enrollment, limited attention has been given to the specific factors influencing students’ interest in pursuing BSECE. This study aims to identify the key influences on senior high school students’ decisions to enroll in the BSECE program at Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) in Calbayog City, Western Samar. A descriptive survey method was employed, using purposive sampling to select participating schools and stratified random sampling to identify student respondents. The results show that students’ knowledge of the BSECE program had the strongest influence on their enrollment intentions, followed by career guidance, personal interest, and socio-cultural factors. A clear understanding of the curriculum and career prospects significantly shaped students’ decisions. Although career guidance contributed to these decisions, access to in-depth counseling, mentorship, and industry exposure was found to be limited. Personal interest, particularly in technical and hands-on learning, played a role but did not always align with specific career goals in electronics engineering. Socio-cultural factors, such as family finances and local job opportunities, had a lesser but still relevant impact. The findings highlight the importance of improving students’ awareness of BSECE and its real-world applications to attract more enrollees. The study recommends enhancing career mentorship programs, integrating industry-linked learning experiences, and providing financial support initiatives to encourage informed decisionmaking. These strategies could help increase student interest and enrollment in the BSECE program at NwSSU and serve as a model for other institutions facing similar challenges. Keywords — Electronics Engineering, Enrollment, Personal factor, Career Guidance, Sociocultural factor