A CLOSE LOOK AT THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE ACCOUNTANCY, BUSINESS, AND MANAGEMENT STRAND

This qualitative study aimed to better understand the needs and challenges faced by SeniorHighSchool(SHS) Accountancy, Business, and Management(ABM) students in their journey of learning real life business problems. It utilizeda case study method in which the unit of analysis is the SHS Grade 11 and 12 ABM students of Simala National High School, a secondary public school in Cebu, Philippines. Analysis of transcribed interviews and observations from 20 key informants revealed the findings encapsulated in the following themes: a) ?Clamor for Work Immersion? which explains the need to expose the learners to hands on real world business activities; b) ?Demand for Learning Resources and Facilities? which entails the need for adequate print and non-print learner?s material, computers, and unlimited internet access; c) ?Request for Skilled and Experienced Teachers? which relates the need to hire teachers who are business graduates or have firsthand business experience; d) ?Time runs fast? which reveals the challenge of allocating enough time in all their projects particularly those involving data gathering outside school; and e) ?Funds empty fast? which shows the challenge of budgeting their allowances to be sufficient for their school requirement expenses. The school administration and teachers shall then address the needs through enhancing the work immersion plan, intensifying the school improvement plan, and hiring of qualified teachers. To cope with the challenges, the students need to develop time management skills and properly set priorities on where to allocate their available finances.