Teaching Staff Disposition on the Operational Practices of Satellite Public Campuses

This descriptive research assessed the current operational practices of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laguna Satellite Campuses. Specifically, it assessed the administration, instruction, research, extension, and local government unit (LGU) assistance of the University. Based from the disposition of the 112 teaching staff from the four (4) satellite campuses, the operation of PUP Laguna Satellite Campuses were generally “very satisfactory” in all the variables tested. When grouped according to the respondents’ demographic profile, there was no statistical difference in the assessment of the respondents. With these findings, the researcher recommends that the administrators should take consideration in giving cash gifts, tokens or incentives, involvements of the faculty in research and extension activities of the university, full support in funding of projects, training, seminar and students activities of the LGU are highly recommended. Further research can be conducted that will enliven the continuity and further development of the study on hand. Furthermore, similar study with larger number of population and wider locale can be considered.


Introduction
Education plays a key role in the development of any country in which educational reforms have been tied to economic development in the context of the Philippines.
Philippine educational reforms have been shaped not only by its growing population, but also by its response to the dynamic global demand for talent (Suarez, et.al. 2018). One of the most pressing problem in the Philippines is the quality and cost of the tertiary education.
In the public colleges and universities, this can be attributed to the shortage in resources of the government, uncontrollable increases in tuition fees, and increasing speed in the population of the students (Epoc, 2010). However, the Philippine government aims to improve the quality of education and increase student participation and access (Matcha et. al., 2018). The Republic Act 10931 also known as Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act provides access to free education by providing state colleges and universities (SUCs) that offer no tuition and other fees. This act helps increase enrollment but greatly impacts on the public budget and struggle on social benefits (Matcha et. al., 2018). Through this, students from low-income households can have equal opportunity for higher education.
One of the leading university in the country that offers free and accessible education is the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). It currently has 22 satellite branches and campuses across Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Metro Manila. Mandated by Presidential Decree No. 1341, the University has the authority to expand diametrically through the establishments of branches that can provide inclusive and equitable quality education to the students from different provinces. PUP branches and campuses differ in terms of funding and characteristics. The branch is supported or funded by the national government with number of support personnel while a campus is budgeted by the LGU with limited resources. The first PUP campus in Laguna was established in San Pedro on 2002.
With so much demand for higher education in this province, PUP established three more campuses in Sta. Rosa on 2003, Biñan, and Calauan on 2009. These campuses were instituted by the PUP and LGU Memorandum of Agreement.
The areas of concerns in the operation of the campus are teaching staffs trained to deliver courses, access to ICT facilities and software, and teaching and learning materials.
Since all the PUP Laguna Campuses are funded by the LGU, an internal assessment is necessary to identify the strengths, weaknesses and operational good practices. With the current track record of the PUP in terms of teaching and learning, research and extension services, the campuses are expected to be at par with its standards. Moreover, the assistance and funds provided by the LGUs are important variables for the efficacy of its operations.
Thus this study assessed the operation of the PUP Laguna satellite campuses in terms of administration, instruction, research, extension, and LGU assistance.

Operation of HEIs
As defined in an article of Quality Management (2020), operations refer to the practices that are common and quality assurance processes of the institutions. It helps as a support in the University community in its work and in the placement of the new workforces, helps in the operation growth in terms of black and white transactions, and assists the different practices that suit different parts of the institution. It also describes how management systematically works as well as its main duties. According to Heizer & Render (2014), operation management is a transformation of the inputs into outputs in the form of products and services that can be found in the different set of activities. The management of the operation sustains the mission and strategy implementation that can help the institutions design product and services. According to the American Management Association (2007), to reach the philosophy and beliefs of the organization, it must maintain its high performance and consistency of the strategies. Commonly, organizations with high performance have strong management and human resource values that are in place (Demartini & Paoloni, 2011).

Administration of HEI
Universities and their managers face increasing demands for improved efficiency and accountability (Stensaker, Frolich & Aamodt, 2018). These led to quality assurance measures for internationally relevant economic drivers (Song, 2018) and decreasing university autonomy (Eastman et al., 2018). Performance-based metrics have occurred, most particularly in research, such as Excellence in Research for Australia, Research Excellence Framework in Britain and elsewhere (Kwok, 2013). These metrics place importance on output quality and have an immediate impact on individual achievement in academics │ 21 (Kwok, 2013;Kenny & Fluck, 2017). Although the academic work is disreputably difficult to quantify (Boyd, 2014), the justification for managing academic workload stems from the idea or concept of responsibility as one of the 'tenets of new management of the public (Bryson et al., 2014). Through performance management and workload allocation processes, the responsibility for institutional performance has been increasingly transferred onto individual academics (Franco-Santos, Rivera & Bourne, 2014;Kenny & Fluck, 2017). This underscores the need for effective and efficient processes to manage academic job and performance. Nevertheless, the resolution of these issues conveys deep political power that undertones in the institutions (Kenny, Fluck & Jetson, 2012;Kenny & Fluck, 2014;Kenny & Fluck, 2017).

Instructions
According to Huitt (2013) instruction is the process of learning activities in the class, which the teacher plans and manages. According to Joyce, et al. (2013), there are four categories of teaching or instructions models: processing of information, social interaction, personal development and behavioral systems. Each instruction model varies in the measurement or type of targeted learning.
Literature and studies show significant relations between the quality instructions and effective learning purposes in the tertiary level. Therefore, HEIs cannot compromise the need for hiring teachers with strong academic credentials, content knowledge, experiences and technical skills (Sogunro, 2017). The teaching strategies used by the teacher can have intense effects on student performance (Hattie, 2012;Liefooghe & Verbruggen, 2019).

Research
Institutions are focused on research activities by providing monetary and nonmonetary support to the academic staff in order to motivate them to do research (Bernarte & Pambuena, 2017). With limited financial resources, some of the institutions encourage their faculty to look for external funding sources (Ali, et.al. 2010). In order to improve the quality of instruction and professional advancement of the teachers, involvement in research activities are encouraged (Walden & Bryan, 2010). Likewise, Hemmings and Kay (2010) suggest that academic staff support research in the academe. There is a big challenge in the HEIs producing quality research and publications (Gitlin & Lyons, 2004). Danchisko and Thomas (2012) suggest that LUCs support the academic staff in their research activities through different support services. However, Jung et al. (2019) reiterate that HEIs are providing limited resources and funding to support institutional research making teachers less motivated to accomplish any research activities.

Extension
Extension programs and activities involve interacting and helping a community or group in an area to improve the quality of life (Rubio et al., 2016). According to Chua et al. (2014), community extension in the HEIs was designed for learners, teachers and staff to develop their involvement in the different social programs. These programs influence the values and characters of the learners and staff (Laguador & Chavez, 2013). In addition, it is mandated that schools and other education institutions have to be involved in the community undertaking according to Section 7 of the Republic Act 232 or Education Act of 1982.
According to Ceniza (2015), HEIs must build an organization through the community that help and support all members of the community.

Local Government Unit Assistance
According to Anabe-Aducon (2019), LGUs are recognized sustainable structures for the routine of local functions that use public resources for the delivery of services. Hence, the grant of local fiscal autonomy is taken into account for the effective government system. In terms of the HEIs, municipalities in the Philippines run the LCUs and some universities. The LGUs provide funding for the infrastructures and facilities of the LCUs (Danao, 2010). HEIs is high. Most of the support provided by the LGUs to colleges is within the sort of financial assistance (Dela Cruz, 2014).

Methodology
This study used the descriptive-evaluative research design to describe and assess the current operational practices of PUP Laguna satellite campuses in terms of administration, instructions, research, extension and LGU assistance. These methods were used to unfold new explanation, and to describe only the best practices of the university.
The respondents of the study are 112 faculty members from the four (4)  Form was emailed to all the respondents using the directory given by the academic heads in each campus.
The study used a self-made questionnaire in 5-scale Likert style statements. The variable assessed pertain to the different aspects of the operations of an HEI. The data gathered were treated with necessary statistics such as weighted mean, Kruskal-Wallis H Test and Mann-Whitney U Test. Table 1 details the respondents' assessment of the operation of PUP Laguna satellite campuses in terms of administration. An overall mean of 4.2359 indicates that the faculty perceives the operation of the administration as "Very satisfactory". Faculty insight regarding the proper observance of working hours obtained a mean of 4.3571 or "Very satisfactory", and prompt service obtained a mean of 4.2768 or "very satisfactory".

Findings and Discussion
However, the administration's indicator regarding 'creates a climate of trust by open communication' garnered a mean value of 4.1875 or "very satisfactory" and the lowest mean of 4.1786 or "very satisfactory" is gives due recognition to excellent performance of the teachers, students, and staff. The results support the study of Collewet M. and Sauerman J. (2017), that the management and the working time policies effect the productivity of the firm. However, this reliant not only affect labor productivity on working hours at the individual level, but also on different factors such as availability of workers. On the other hand, Baskar (2013) posits that there will be an improved satisfaction and motivation in giving rewards and recognition to employees, and then there would be a resultant alteration in the satisfaction and motivation of their work. The motivation and satisfaction could lead to higher levels of productivity and performance. This is attested by Tanner (2015) that employees' work must be recognized and rewarded. Table 2 shows the respondents' assessment of the operation of PUP Laguna Satellite Campuses in terms of Instructions. An overall mean of 4.3903 indicates that the faculty perceives the operation in terms of the instructions as "very satisfactory". The highest mean of 4.4911 rated as "very satisfactory" was given to the statement "explains the topic in line with to the level of the students". In addition, the indicator "attends in seminar/training for professional growth" with the mean of 4.3214 and use of the faculty manual as a guide in teaching garnered the lowest mean value of 4.1875 were also rated "very satisfactory".  As stated by Finley (2017) Table 3 presents the assessment of the operation in terms of research, which garnered an overall mean of 3.7130 interpreted as "very satisfactory". The indicator affirming that PUP Laguna campuses encourage faculty to pursue externally-funded research were found "very satisfactory" with a highest mean value of 4.0893. Moreover, the indicator 'provides an opportunity for faculty and students to showcase their research outputs in seminars and training' were also found "very satisfactory" with the second highest mean value of 4.0179.
Meanwhile, two items were rated as "satisfactory"; availability of research manual with the mean value of 3.5089 and availability of computer unit for research work with the lowest mean of 3.4196.
In relation to external funding, Smith (2016) points on self-sufficiency and selfactualization as positive motivation in searching for external research funding. Similarly, Gallup & Svare (2016) believe that funding research is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Whereas faculty should get grants in order to do research, too often at the present time that the faculty do studies for them to have scholarship grants. In addition, support services such as computer can also equip teachers in research formulation. As Chamanlal (2014) and Singh (2016) assert that, the availability of computer is necessary nowadays for research works.  Table 4 shows that the overall respondents' assessment of the operation in terms of extension is 4.0522 interpreted as "very satisfactory". It also affirms that the expertise of PUP is being utilized (4.2768) and the extension programs/project impacts the community program participated in by all teachers (3.8471). All the statements were rated as "very satisfactory." Similar to the findings of Tapscott (2010) that community service is a factor in shaping the personality of a person, it is substantial to provide activities that could also impact or improve the community. Moreover, the extension program serves as an instrument for change (Rubio et al., 2016). In contrast with the study of Gonzales (n.d) on the common community service programs, the PUP focuses on the tutorial and literacy program because it serves as the strength of the University teachers. In addition, involvement of the faculty depends on the type of extension programs of the department he/she belongs.

Indicators Mean Verbal Interpretation
Budget allocation for other operating expenses.

Very Satisfactory
LGU financial and moral support to campus activities 4.0268 Very Satisfactory Financial support to students' activities 3.8304 Very Satisfactory  Table 5 details the respondents' assessment of the operation in terms of LGU assistance with an overall mean of 3.9655 rated as "very satisfactory".
Consultation/coordination of LGU to PUP got the highest mean of 4.0536 followed by LGU offers career opportunities for graduates with the mean of 4.0446. The two lowest means were budget allocation for other operating expenses with 3.8839 and financial support to students' activities with 3.8304. All indicators were rated "very satisfactory."   are greater than the level of significance, which is 0.05, the null hypothesis is not rejected.
Therefore, the study concludes, "there is no enough evidence to show that there is a significant agreement between the administration, instructions, research, extension and LGU assistance of the respondents' assessment when grouped according to age." In other words, respondents have the same assessment on the indicators of operation when grouped according to age.  Table 7 shows the agreement of respondents' assessment when grouped according to sex using Mann-Whitney U Test. The results showed that administration has an u-Value of - Since all the indicators have p-values greater than the level of significance, which is 0.05, the null hypothesis is also not rejected. In other words, respondents whether male or female have similar assessment on the operation of Laguna Campuses.

Conclusion
The teaching staff assessment of the operation of PUP Laguna Satellite Campuses in terms of administration, instructions, research, extension, and LGU assistance are very satisfactory. When grouped according to the respondents' profile, there was no enough evidence to show significant difference in the assessments of the teaching staff. Regardless of the respondents' age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, employment status and length of service, the assessment remains the same. Although the assessments results to very satisfactory, there is room for improvement to attain the 'outstanding' status.
In reference to the administration, giving due recognition in the excellent performance of the faculty, students, and staff, should be taken into consideration by giving cash gifts, tokens or incentives. The campus administrators may consider the public posting of appreciation to let the people know the achievement through tarpaulin or social media.
Similarly, the achievement of the faculty, students, and staff from different campus or branch especially coming from the small campuses can be published in the university official website. Moreover, the faculty members should attend orientation on the different provisions of the faculty manual. To help teaching staff in research, providing computer units in the library or faculty lounge intended for research works be provided. On the LGU assistance, consider seeking funds for faculty development trainings and seminars or scholarships for professional enhancement, students' curricular and co-curricular activities and other operating expenses that would benefit the administrators, faculty, and students.
Further research can be conducted that will enliven the continuity and further development of the study on hand. Other researchers may works on topics that were not taken up in this study because of constraints, such as using other variables. Furthermore, similar study with larger number of population and wider locale can be considered.