Geraldine G. Nerona, Nica Feby T. Rabago, Beyonce E. Aragon, Janine C. Andrada, Messie Felyn B. Bustos, Marion Luigi N. Ramos, Kyle Brent S. Kimayong
Corresponding email: [email protected]
A B S T R A C T
The study measures the mutual benefit of a university extension program on a partner institution’s 5S ratings and student extensionists’ lifelong learning. The extension program involved implementing 5S in a national high school from August 2022 to May 2024. Lifelong learning is an essential skill that enables graduates to adapt faster and more effectively to changes in their work environment. It affects the way people address the diverse challenges they meet daily. On the other hand, extension work allows students to directly apply course theories to problematic situations in a community with identified needs. The activities involved in the extension program enabled the students to solve problems, collaborate, communicate, think critically, and practice creativity while engaging actively with a community outside the university. The student extensionists’ involvement in the extension program included delivering short lectures on 5S, facilitating extension activities, designing infographic posters, collecting and analyzing 5S data, and recommending and implementing solutions to improve classroom organization and management. Upon termination of the extension program, the mean 5S score of the partner institution increased from “minimum acceptable” at 2.94 to “very good” at 3.83. Their knowledge and skill level in 5S increased from “moderate” at 3.04 to “high” at 4.58. Alongside the successful 5S implementation, the student extensionists’ lifelong learning skills in solving problems, collaborating, communicating, critical thinking, and creativity improved “very much” at 4.47. Even when the students are still at university, lifelong learning can be enhanced through active participation in a university’s extension program. Therefore, the extension program demonstrates the synergistic benefits of community engagement to the partner community and the students. It is recommended that students be actively involved in community extension programs to enhance their classroom learning further and thus demonstrate their lifelong learning.