21st Century Skills and the Community Engagement of Grade 6 Learners
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19563622Keywords:
21st century skills, community engagementAbstract
This study assessed the levels of 21st-century skills, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, among Grade 6 learners, along with their community engagement in San Fernando II District, Bukidnon. “Using a descriptive–correlational research design, data were gathered through a standardized questionnaire adapted from previous studies, with responses measured using a five-point Likert scale. The sample comprised 188 Grade 6 learners, selected at random. Analysis involved computing means, standard deviations, and Pearson correlations to determine skill and engagement levels and to explore their interrelationships. Findings revealed that learners demonstrated high levels in all assessed 21st-century skills and a very high degree of community engagement. Significant and strong positive correlations were observed between each skill and community engagement, both individually and collectively, indicating the integral role of these competencies in fostering learners’ active participation in community life. The study concluded that Grade 6 learners possess essential competencies that support effective problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and innovation, reflected in their advanced community involvement characterized by responsibility, empathy, and social advocacy. The significant associations underscore the importance of 21st-century skills in preparing learners to be active, engaged citizens. Recommendations highlight the need for learners to continually develop these skills through interactive and problem-based learning connected to real-world and community contexts. The integration of 21st-century skills and community engagement explicitly within curriculum frameworks, supported by professional development, is important. Future research is encouraged to identify instructional strategies and community-based programs that best enhance the collaboration between these skills and community involvement across diverse educational settings and grade levels.
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