In the realm of education in the Philippines, gender disparities in educational outcomes persist as a complex challenge, particularly in the context of basic education indicators. The gender gap, particularly in reading, remains a pertinent and unresolved issue. This study delves into the analysis of gender disparities in teaching reading within the Department of Education in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the research conducted Focus Group Discussions with sixty teachers, employing thematic analysis to derive meaningful insights. The findings illuminate that girls exhibit a greater propensity to engage cooperatively in reading tasks compared to boys, and these subtle differences may significantly impact early educational years. The early reading proficiency demonstrated by girls potentially catalyzes a self-reinforcing cycle, leading to increased voluntary reading during critical primary school years and consequently enhancing their overall reading abilities. Girls consistently outperform boys in reading assessments across various age levels. Socioeconomic factors seem to render boys from lower economic backgrounds more vulnerable to reading difficulties than females. Teachers' perceptions play a role, with boys seen as "difficult" and underachievers, while girls are characterized as "obedient" and high-achieving. These early judgments, from teachers and society, may contribute to divergent paths in the academic success of boys and girls. In addressing these gender disparities in teaching reading, the study advocates for the implementation of synthetic phonics as a teaching method. This approach aims to provide an effective and equitable instructional foundation, mitigating the identified gender gaps and fostering a more inclusive educational environment.

Authors:
Felix Gaviola, Jr., Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines
Loreta Fajardo, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines
Lindy Lou Gaviola, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines
Faith Stephanny Silor, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Mr FELIX GAVIOLA, JR. is a School Teacher/Instructor at MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology in Philippines

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