Gender Mainstreaming in A Bangsamoro Public High School: Basis for Intervention

This research aims to describe the current state of gender mainstreaming in Bangsamoro Public High School in terms of policy, people, enabling mechanisms and programs, projects, and activities. It also aims to identify issues and challenges to develop interventions in improving GAD mainstreaming. The study used a mixed-method approach that included surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions on describing the mainstreaming of GAD in public high schools. At the same time, qualitative data was used to determine the issues, challenges, and interventions in Gender and Development mainstreaming in school services. The study revealed that respondents positively defined the existence of Gender and Development in their school in terms of having a policy, conducting programs, activities, and projects (PAPs), and enabling mechanisms. Themes such as family conflict, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy were recorded in terms of issues and challenges. Findings highlighted that the program is not a priority, and the policy is not successfully implemented, so the budget allocation is not utilized correctly. Moreover, participants emphasized that there is no formal flagship program on GAD and an absence of application on the national government’s issued order or policy, resulting in the poor status of gender and development mainstreaming in public high schools. This study proposed the intervention plan be implemented to be the basis for policy reform, GAD mainstreaming curriculum development, and improving the school’s management capabilities.