Attaining certification in advanced studies is often a condition for career advancement among professionals, including public school teachers in the Philippines. However, pursuing graduate education while working full-time and managing family responsibilities may be quite challenging. Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined barriers and drivers influencing the pursuit of graduate education among public-school teachers in the Philippines. We found that female, married teachers, and those with children spend significantly more hours on carework. More than carework hours, however, financial constraints and heavy workloads appear to be the main barriers preventing teachers from pursuing further education. These findings suggest that policies supporting teachers’ professional development should focus on financial aid and workload relief, rather than assuming family responsibilities are the primary obstacles. Our study highlights potential mechanisms that drive differences in teachers’ career progression. Understanding the barriers is crucial for improving teacher quality and retention in the Philippine education system.
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