Author

Karen Rhede Manulat*
University of Visayas, Cebu City, Philippines

Dr. Regina P. Galigao
Cebu Technological University, Cebu City, Philippines

Abstract

The management of classrooms in higher education plays an essential role in determining how successful educators will be able to teach their learners as well as the learning experiences of these students. This review seeks to examine the management practices employed in the Southeast Asian university context based on PRISMA 2020 methodology. In all, there are 142 studies analyzed, of which only 18 have been selected as relevant for inclusion. The results show that classroom management in this part of the world includes three essential aspects: learner-centeredness in instruction, organized but flexible classroom structure, and incorporation of technological advances in teaching processes. On the other hand, there have been structured practices that help lay the foundation of effective teaching through proper organization of the content, time, and behavior of students. The application of digital technology has contributed greatly to classroom management in terms of improved communication and increased satisfaction among students but has also brought about more difficulties. Contextual variables have also been mentioned in the review and how they impact classroom management practices in Southeast Asia. The literature review demonstrates that classroom management requires adaptability to accommodate various issues encountered in the current university settings. This research paper contributes to literature by integrating the fragmented pieces of information found in the reviewed literature.

Keywords: Classroom management, higher education, Southeast Asia, student engagement, teaching strategies.

*Corresponding author / Email: kareversity@gmail.com
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021168

Recommended citation:
Manulat, K. R., & Galigao, R. P. (2026). Classroom management practices in Southeast Asian higher education institutions. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (2), 4537-4548. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021168

Read the full text

References

Albayrak, D., & Ateskan, A. (2022). Classroom management in higher education: A systematic literature review. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 46(7), 1006–1022. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2022.2038099

Bisbee, D. (2019). Time management factors for success in higher education [Master’s thesis, Harvard University]. https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37365102

Grapragasem, S., Krishnan, A., Joshi, P. L., & Krishnan, S. (2015). Lecturers’ perception of classroom management: An empirical study of higher learning institutions in Malaysia. International Journal of Higher Education, 4(4), 137–146. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1077828.pdf

Kulkarni, S. (2026). PRISMA guidelines: Step-by-step workflow with examples. https://paperguide.ai/blog/prisma-guidelines/

Lobo, S. (2026). An overview of student behavior and classroom management: A bibliometric discourse on productions, themes, and future directions. Educational Process: International Journal, 20, e2026003. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1497342.pdf

Lork, C., & Ali, D. A. (2025). The influence of classroom management styles on student learning outcomes: A lecturer-based study in Cambodian higher education. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lork-Chumneanh/publication/395026598_The_Influence_of_Classroom_Management_Styles_on_Student_Learning_Outcomes_A_Lecturer-Based_Study_in_Cambodian_Higher_Education.pdf

Magulod, G. C., Jr., Capili, J. D., & Pinon, R. M. (2019). Classroom management styles in a Philippine higher education institution: Exploring the relationship and labels attached by students. European Journal of Educational Research, 8(3), 893–904. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1222284.pdf

Maloshonok, N., & Vilkova, K. (2024). Student behavior at university: The development and validation of a 10-dimensional scale. PLOS ONE, 19(11), e0313357. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313357

Minga, C., & Ghosh, S. (2025). Classroom management strategies at higher education institutions. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 51(12), 196–209. https://journalajess.com/index.php/AJESS/article/view/2686

Mustafa, M. N., Hermandra, H., Zulhafizh, Z., & Hidayat, R. (2024). Classroom management in improving the quality of learning in the education units. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 24(5). https://articlegateway.com/index.php/JHETP/article/view/7003/

Nadaf, Z. A. (2024). Role of artificial intelligence in managing large classrooms in higher education: A PRISMA-based thematic review. Research Square. https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8767546/v1

Naidu, N., Jusoh, S. A. M., Zynuddin, S. N., & Maulana, D. (2026). Online classroom management and student satisfaction in remote learning: Evidence from a university in Kuala Lumpur. Jurnal Kurikulum & Pengajaran Asia Pasifik, 14(1). https://mjes.um.edu.my/index.php/JUKU/article/view/69260

Page, M. J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., . . . McKenzie, J. E. (2021). PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: Updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n160. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8005925/

Riyas, N. S., Abhinand, J. P., Jayan, A., Devika, S., Nandana, S. S., Kumar, R., & Hidayath, H. (2025). Learning management systems in higher education: A PRISMA-based systematic literature review. Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/records/19114080/files/journal_litrev%20(1).pdf

Sarmento, J. A., & Junior, J. (2025). Classroom management in the implementation of learning systems in schools. Southeast Asian Journal of Global Trends and Issues in Education, 1(1). https://ojs.aeducia.org/index.php/sajgtie/article/view/300

Saul, S. M. (2025). Teachers’ classroom management strategies and competence: Their influence on learners’ performance. International Journal of Science and Advanced Technology. https://www.ijsat.org/papers/2025/4/9872.pdf