Implementation, Benefits, And Challenges of The Gulayan Sa Paaralan Program in Lila District, Bohol

Abstract

The Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Education that aims to promote nutrition, food security, environmental awareness, and learner participation through school-based gardening activities. This study assessed the implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program in the schools of Lila District, Division of Bohol, Philippines. Specifically, it examined the level of program implementation, the benefits gained, the problems encountered, the relationships among the study variables, and differences in perceptions among stakeholder groups. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed. The participants consisted of 60 respondents, including school heads, Gulayan sa Paaralan Program coordinators, School-Based Feeding Program coordinators, and Parents–Teachers Association officers. Data were gathered using a researcher-developed questionnaire anchored on DepEd Memorandum No. 223, s. 2016. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank-order correlation were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the overall implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program was less implemented. Among the implementation dimensions, roles and responsibilities at the school level and the establishment and maintenance of school gardens were implemented to a moderate extent. At the same time, capability building, program monitoring, sustainability mechanisms, and program evaluation were less implemented. Respondents generally perceived the program as moderately beneficial and reported that implementation-related problems were less serious. Significant relationships were found between the level of implementation and both benefits gained and problems encountered. However, no significant relationship was observed between benefits gained and problems encountered.  The findings suggest that strengthening implementation mechanisms, capacity-building initiatives, monitoring systems, and sustainability strategies may enhance the effectiveness and long-term impact of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program. Greater stakeholder collaboration and institutional support are recommended to maximize the program’s nutritional, educational, and community-development outcomes.