Feasibility Study on Establishing a Rural Farm School at Baluan National High School

This study explored the feasibility of establishing the Rural Farm School (RFS) Program at Baluan National High School (BNHS). It used mixed-methods research design to investigate the program’s viability in five areas of study: market, technical, management, financial, and socio-economic. Data were gathered from the 139 learners and 49 parents of the feeder school and 13 members of the BNHS community including teachers, school head, and stakeholders through surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs). The Market Study revealed significant interests among learners and parents to enroll in the program. They believe that the program can equip the learners with practical farm skills and prepare them for agriculture careers. The Technical Study showed the school’s readiness in terms of material resources and teacher competence, although these need to be augmented and upgraded. The Management Study identified specific challenges and risks like limited resources and safety issues. To address these problems, plans for mitigation were established including efficient fund allocation and safety policies. The Financial Study revealed financial viability through fund diversification and strengthened partnerships with stakeholders. The cost benefit analysis determined that the program’s benefits like enhanced student competence and agricultural productivity are worth its costs. The Socio-Economic Study emphasized the need to eliminate negative attitudes towards agriculture by highlighting the program’s relevance to the community. The findings recommend a phased implementation of the RFS at BNHS starting in School Year 2025-2026 to strategically address funding limitations. Equally important is the need for strong stakeholder and community engagement to ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness.