Empowering Communities Through Extension: A Stakeholders’ Assessment of ISPSC Graduate School Programs

Abstract

This study assessed the significance of the Graduate School extension programs of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) and examined the factors influencing stakeholders’ perceptions, engagement, and participation. Specifically, it aimed to determine the respondents’ profile, evaluate the level of significance of the extension projects, assess stakeholders’ overall satisfaction, identify the relationship between respondents’ profile and perceived project significance, and explore factors affecting engagement and recommendations for program enhancement. The study employed a descriptive-correlational research design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A researcher-made questionnaire was administered to 234 stakeholders selected through purposive quota sampling from ten extension project sites. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means, and Pearson product-moment correlation, while qualitative responses from interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings revealed that most respondents were young learners aged 10–20 years, unemployed, and from low-income households. The extension programs obtained a high overall significance rating, indicating strong agreement regarding their relevance, implementation, stakeholder engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction. Stakeholders rated the programs positively, with 60.7% describing them as good and 31.6% as excellent, while 99.1% expressed willingness to recommend them to other agencies. Significant relationships were found between perceived project significance and age, sex, employment status, type of municipality, and particularly the type of extension project. Qualitative findings identified program relevance, quality of implementation, and stakeholder involvement as key factors influencing engagement. Recommendations emphasized needs-based program design, strengthened implementation and evaluation mechanisms, enhanced stakeholder participation, and sustainable partnerships. Overall, the study affirms the effectiveness, inclusivity, and developmental impact of the Graduate School extension programs.