Problems in Teaching Reading of Grade III Teachers of District V in the Division of Manila: Basis for In-Service Training Program for Reading Educators

The study aimed to determine the problems in teaching Reading of Grade Three Teachers of District V in the Division of Manila, school year 2013-2014. This study employed the descriptive survey method through the use of a questionnaire which was developed by the researcher and validated by experts. The said questionnaire contains two parts: 1) Personal qualities of teachers; and 2) Teachers' problems in teaching reading. The participants of this study were the forty-one (41) grade III reading teachers of District V in the Division of Manila, school year 2013-2014. The teachers are from nine public elementary schools in district V, Division of Manila.

In the context of the foregoing findings, the following conclusions are hereby drawn. The Grade III teachers in the District V in the Division of Manila have the following characteristics: neophytes and belong to middle-age group; female; married; teacher II; have spent less than 5 years in teaching and almost the same as the number of years in teaching reading; bachelor's degree holder with 31.71 percent having master's units. Most of them have not been able to attend trainings related to reading. The Grade III reading teachers of District V are bothered with problems related to school facilities, classroom conducive for learning, and unavailability of multi-media and other instructional materials and other school resources that enhance pupils' learning experiences; teachers' teaching competence; pupils' interest and parents' involvement and cooperation; limited time for reading; no strict implementation of remedial reading program which results into continuous increase of the slow readers and non-readers in every class; absenteeism due to poor health or malnutrition; lack of quality in-service trainings for teachers and limited or no opportunity for scholarship grants offered by the government. In the light of the findings and conclusions of the study, the following are hereby recommended: conduct intensive training program specially for the new teachers before the school year begins; grant scholarship programs to deserving teachers; encourage teachers to upgrade their competencies through personal and professional development activities; implement the proposed action plan for in-service training program for reading educators; and conduct similar studies in other district and grade level within the division of Manila.