Author

Sharren B. Lopez*
Cebu Technological University-Main Campus, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

This study determined the influence of hands-on activities as a teaching strategy in Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) in developing life skills among elementary learners at Canduman Elementary School, Mandaue City, Cebu, during the school year 2025–2026 as a basis for an action plan. Employing a descriptive-correlational research design with a quantitative approach, the study involved 37 EPP Grade 4 and Grade 5 teachers thru purposive sampling. Data were gathered using an adapted and validated questionnaire assessing teacher profiles, perceived life skills development and learners’ proficiency in EPP as measured by average grades. Spearman rho correlation was used to determine the relationship between teachers’ perceptions and learners’ academic performance. Findings revealed that teachers were predominantly female, young, and mostly specialized in Family and Consumer Science. The perceived level of life skills development across all domains was rated as “Full Development,” with aggregate means ranging from 4.27 to 4.45. Learners demonstrated a high level of proficiency in EPP with a mean average grade of 86.35, classified as “Very Satisfactory.” The findings indicate that the teachers perceived learners’ life skills as fully developed through hands-on EPP activities. However, these perceptions were not significantly associated with learners EPP grades. Thus, this suggest the academic grades and perceived life skills represent related but distinct learning outcomes. The study therefore proposes an action plan emphasizing authentic assessment, structured hands-on instruction, safety, independent performance, problem-solving, and opportunities for practice beyond the classroom.

Keywords:  Vocational Education, hands-on activities, life skills development, learners’ proficiency, descriptive-correlation, Action plan, Mandaue City, Cebu.

*Corresponding author / Email: lopezshasha9@gmail.com
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05031515

Recommended citation:
Lopez, S. B. (2026). Hands-on activities as teaching strategy in Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) towards developing life skills among elementary learners. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (3), 4006-4021. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05031515

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