Challenges, strategies, and recommendations for implementing Quality Management System (QMS) in the schools division of the City of Batac: A phenomenological study

Abstract

This study examined the challenges encountered by elementary school heads in implementing the Quality Management System (QMS) in the Schools Division of the City of Batac, with the aim of identifying the difficulties they faced, the strategies they used to sustain QMS implementation, and their recommendations to improve its effectiveness in schools. A qualitative research design was employed, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires from fifteen (15) elementary school heads, which were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis to identify common patterns and themes. The findings revealed that school heads faced challenges such as limited knowledge and understanding of QMS, workload and time constraints, resource limitations, and inadequate technical support, and to address these, they applied strategies including strong leadership and accountability, strategic planning, staff engagement, effective resource management, data-driven decision-making, and continuous professional development. Participants also recommended continuous training, systematic auditing and monitoring, integration of QMS into school operations, strengthened leadership, and stakeholder collaboration. Overall, the study concludes that effective QMS implementation requires continuous capacity building, sufficient resources, and strong institutional support to sustain quality management practices in schools.