Balancing acts

Navigating school, work, and life among female pre-service teachers in the Philippines

Authors

  • Joy Angelle Remojo Philippine Normal University South Luzon, Philippines
  • Reynald Cacho Philippine Normal University South Luzon, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/9j37bh77

Keywords:

school, work, work-life balance, female, Student Mental Health, preservice teacher

Abstract

Balancing school, work, and personal life presents significant challenges for emerging young adult female students in pre-service teacher education programs. This qualitative study examined their lived experiences via a phenomenological approach. Five participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data were collected through semi-structured online interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Key challenges included time conflicts, role strain, and emotional stress. Despite prioritizing academics and personal well-being, participants demonstrated resilience, supported by family, faculty, and peers. They employed self-regulation and adaptability to cope. The study recommends flexible academic policies, responsive school programs, enhanced financial aid, on-campus jobs, faculty training, and industry collaboration to reduce burdens and improve academic success for working students

Author Biographies

  • Joy Angelle Remojo, Philippine Normal University South Luzon, Philippines

    JOY ANGELLE REMOJO, RGC, RPm, MAEd, is a Registered Guidance Counselor and the Head of the Student Affairs and Services Unit at Philippine Normal University South Luzon Campus, Philippines. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Psychology at the University of Batangas, Batangas City, Philippines. She gained her postgraduate degree in Master of Education Major in Guidance and Counseling at the Philippine Normal University, Taft Manila, Philippines. Her past publication examined the role of psychological interventions in improving student learning outcomes. Her research interests include counseling and psychology, child and adolescent mental health, cultural diversity and gender development studies in education, social and emotional learning, parenting and family dynamics, resilience and coping mechanisms, and psychological assessment. Email: remojo.jab@pnu.edu.ph

     

  • Reynald Cacho, Philippine Normal University South Luzon, Philippines

    REYNALD CACHO, PhD, is a Professor of Educational Management at Philippine Normal University South Luzon and the Strategic Foresight Analyst at PNU Manila’s Knowledge Management and Strategic Foresight Office (KMSFO). He previously served as Director for Research, Extension, Quality Assurance, and Development at PNU South Luzon. He earned his PhD in Knowledge and Innovation Management from the Institute for Knowledge and Innovation, Southeast Asia, at Bangkok University, Thailand. His current publications and research interests encompass a wide range of fields, including knowledge management, educational management, generative AI application in education, knowledge sharing, organizational communication, mobile learning, language and literacy education, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge, distance learning, employability, sustainability, gender and development, financial literacy, and teacher education. Email: cacho.rm@pnu.edu.ph

     

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Additional Files

Published

2026-02-23

How to Cite

Remojo, J. A. B., & Cacho, R. (2026). Balancing acts: Navigating school, work, and life among female pre-service teachers in the Philippines. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 15(1), 73-94. https://doi.org/10.32674/9j37bh77