Leadership and Pedagogical Insights on Junior High School Students’ Attitudes Toward Physical Education

This study utilized a quantitative, descriptive-comparative method to examine adolescents’ attitudes towards Physical Education (PE) in Junior High Schools in SDO Tinoc District, Tinoc Ifugao. Using an adapted survey with open-ended questions, the research aimed to measure students’ attitudes by exploring personal and external factors that influence their affective, cognitive, and motivational behavior. A total of 332 Junior High School students participated in the study, representing three schools in Tinoc, Ifugao. The goal was to inform more effective pedagogical approaches and address emerging challenges in PE instruction. The study assessed students’ attitudes across four domains: satisfaction, comfort, teacher interaction, and physical activity, then analyzed relationships between attitudes and demographic profiles. Moreover, open-ended responses were thematically analyzed to uncover challenges. Based on these findings, intervention activities were proposed to improve student engagement and instructional quality. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) provided further insights into students’ difficulties, including the impact of social media and suggestions for program improvement. Issues such as anxiety, discomfort, competition, and varying teacher effectiveness emerged as key factors influencing attitudes. The results of the study showed that students had moderate attitudes towards PE, with positive perceptions in teacher effectiveness and physical activities but lower satisfaction and comfort. Recommendations include diversifying PE activities, reducing anxiety, and enhancing teacher training. Future research should examine psychological and social factors and explore technology integration in PE.