Discipline

Community Development

Abstract

Sustaining effective catechetical instruction in public schools remains a persistent challenge due to shortages of trained catechists and the need for structured youth faith formation. St. Mary's College Inc., Quezon City, continues to respond through student-led catechetical programs; however, limited evaluative research documents their long-term effectiveness and formative impact. This study addresses this gap by assessing the 2025 implementation of the Catechetical Instruction Program of St. Mary's College Inc., Quezon City, and comparing it descriptively with a 2013 baseline evaluation to determine whether program effectiveness has been sustained or strengthened over time. A descriptive-evaluative mixed-methods design is employed. Using total enumeration sampling, 85 Grade 9 student-catechists with a 95.5% response rate complete a 14-item Likert-scale survey measuring three domains: Preparation, Actual Catechetical Instruction, and Student Learning (Formative Impact). Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and frequency distributions, are computed. Open-ended responses are analyzed through inductive thematic coding. Historical comparison with 2013 data is conducted descriptively due to differences in respondents. Results revealed consistently high evaluations across domains, with all 2025 mean scores classified as “Outstanding” (Preparation = 4.68; Implementation = 4.68; Student Learning = 4.81), exceeding the 2013 "Highly Satisfactory" ratings. The highest-rated indicator was increased awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses (M = 4.88), suggesting strong reflective formation. The study revealed a notable increase in perceived effectiveness, particularly in the Preparation domain, reflecting institutional maturation and improved logistical coordination. Qualitative themes highlighted positive experiences related to faith deepening, pedagogical engagement, and social awareness, alongside challenges in classroom management and time constraints. This study contributed to the understanding of student-led catechesis as an effective model for faith formation in public schools. The findings suggested that student-catechists benefited from the experience, fostering personal growth and spiritual development. Recommendations for future research included long-term tracking of results and feedback from the pupils in Gen. Roxas Elementary School to confirm the program's impact.

Keywords

catechetical instruction, faith formation, student-led catechists, student formation, catechetical program