Home⇛Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal⇛vol. 24 no. 6 (2024)

Gen C Learners’ Issues: A Comparative Needs Assessment Analysis of the Needs of the Learners in the New Normal

Hardie Gieben Cruz | Ricardo Salunga | Fatima Janine Saplala

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

The rise of global health risks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised concerns about how people can protect themselves. The global financial crisis has exposed the many shortcomings in the education system. This includes the lack of adequate resources and supportive environments for learning. This descriptive-comparative research was participated in by 583 secondary and tertiary students from private and government school/universities who are currently undergoing the blended learning modality. The Students Counseling Needs Inventory (SCNI) by Patio (2014) was administered to determine the needs of the students aptly dubbed as Gen C. Gen C is a moniker for Generation COVID - a coined terminology for the learners who are experiencing the abrupt changes in the new normal education setting, brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicated a significant difference between the respondents' personal-social and spiritual needs. This disparity suggests that personal-social and spiritual needs are distinct and may not align uniformly across the entire spectrum of individual requirements. Also, it was shown that under blended learning, respondents feel shy to approach and meet other people and mostly, lack self-confidence. Data also revealed that they experience concerns about their relationship with their parents, with other people, and with themselves. Further, they are interested to know the possible jobs that they could pursue after college. Spiritually, despite the situation, they believe that they are blessed. The needs assessment output is intended to be the springboard for the formulation of a guidance program specifically designed to address these needs.



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