Struggles and Successes of School Administrators in Implementing Technology Management in Operations

Julius B. Dela Cruz MAED¹, & James L. Paglinawan, PhD²
¹Head Teacher I, Department of Education, Philippines
²Professor, College of Education, Central Mindanao University, Philippines
DOI – http://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2025.81026

Abstract

The study explores the struggles and successes of school administrators in implementing technology management in school operations within the Valencia City Division. Utilizing a qualitative narrative analysis approach, the experiences of ten public school administrators were examined to understand capacity-building engagements, challenges faced, effective strategies, and recommendations for sustainable technology integration. Findings reveal that administrators participate in diverse trainings focusing on digital records management, ICT troubleshooting, and the use of platforms like DepEd LMS and Google Workspace, which enhance digital competence and operational efficiency. Despite notable successes such as improved data processing, communication, and collaboration, administrators face significant challenges including unstable internet connectivity, limited ICT equipment, human resource resistance, and inadequate technical support. These challenges highlight the dual infrastructural and human resource barriers that affect seamless technology adoption. Key strategies for success emphasize systematic and sustainable implementation through clear ICT planning, continuous capacity building, resource optimization, and collaborative leadership. The study underscores that effective technology management goes beyond technical acquisition; it requires holistic approaches encompassing planning, mentoring, and policy alignment to foster a resilient digital ecosystem in schools. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on digital transformation in education by offering evidence-based recommendations to enhance administrative capacity and overcome common obstacles in Philippine educational settings. This research reinforces the critical role of school leadership in driving technology integration to improve governance and instructional outcomes.

Keywords: Technology management, School administrators, Digital transformation, Capacity building, ICT integration, Educational leadership, Operational efficiency

References

Acebuche, A. (2023). Digital Leadership Towards Effective School Management. Philippine Journal of Education, March 14, 2023. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=23206
Heim, G. R. (2021). Aims and criteria for advancing technology management: restructuring of the Journal of Operations Management. Journal of Operations Management, 67(3), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1002/joom.1164
Kyereh, M. O., Addai-Amoah, A. K., & Owusu-Addo, A. (2023). Human Resources Management Practices and the Effectiveness of Senior High School Management. Educational Research Theory & Practice, 34(3), 81–95. http://www.nrmera.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ER-TP-V34-35-Kyereh-et-al-Human-Resources-Management-Practices.pdf
Livkovic, M., & Rojko, A. (2022). Challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in educational HR management. RSIS International Journal, January 10, 2025. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/challenges-and-opportunities-of-digital-transformation-in-educational-hr-management/
Nicolas, R. M. V., & Santos, J. M. (2024). School Administrators’ Technology Management: Paving the Way for Instructional Advancement. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(12), 421–438. https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.8120033
Technology Integration and Administrative Support on Effective School Management. (2025). International Journal of Finance and Management Review, 7(3), 87-98. https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2025346124.pdf
(2025, February 24). The top 10 best colleges in Philippines for tech enthusiasts in 2025. https://www.nucamp.co/blog/coding-bootcamp-philippines-phl-the-top-10-best-colleges-in-philippines-for-tech-enthusiasts-in-2025
Timotheou, S., Chronaki, A., Palaiologou, I., & Latsi, P. (2022). Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors influencing schools’ digital capacity and transformation: A literature review. Frontiers in Education, 7, Article 9684747. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.9684747
(2023). Technology in education: A case study on the Philippines. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387743
Development Academy of the Philippines. (2025). Course on Data Governance for Innovation and Digital Transformation. https://dap.edu.ph/dap-rolls-out-first-agile-shuttle-course-on-data-governance-for-lgus
Education Profiles. (2025). Philippines Technology. https://education-profiles.org/eastern-and-south-eastern-asia/philippines/technology
(2019). TESDA administrators gather to upgrade tech-voc institutions. https://www.tesda.gov.ph/Gallery/Details/10297
(2025). Master in Management of Development ed. 2025–2026. https://www.itcilo.org/courses/master-management-development-ed-2025-2026
Central Mindanao University. (2025, October 1). Academic Paradise of the South. https://www.cmu.edu.ph
Cebu Technological University. (2021, June 25). Graduate studies Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management. https://www.ctu.edu.ph/graduate-studies
McKinsey Company. (2024). AI-driven personalized learning will become mainstream: The impact of adaptive learning technologies in international schools. https://www.gsineducation.com/blog/five-trends-that-will-redefine-international-schools-in-2025
Vuorikari, R., Punie, Y., & Gomez, S. (2020). The impact of digital technologies on education: A review. JRC Science for Policy Report. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9684747
Acebuche, A. (2023). Digital leadership towards effective school management (systematic review). Philippine Journal of Education. Retrieved from https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=23206
Nicolas, R. M. V., & Santos, J. M. (2024). School administrators’ technology management: Paving the way for instructional advancement. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(12), 421–438. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-8-issue-12/421-438.pdf
Schmitz, M. L., et al. (2023). Transformational leadership for technology integration in schools: Empowering teachers to use technology in a more demanding way. Computers & Education, 184, Article 104880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104880
Timotheou, S., Chronaki, A., Palaiologou, I., & Latsi, P. (2022). Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors influencing schools’ digital capacity and transformation: A literature review. Frontiers in Education, 7, Article 9684747. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.9684747
(2023). Global Education Monitoring Report 2023: Technology in education — A tool on whose terms? UNESCO. https://gem-report-2023.unesco.org/technology-in-education/
World Bank. (2022). Digital transformation of Philippine higher education (Report No. P177574). World Bank. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099925001062333685/pdf/P17757402843a10c90b3e30308406a38304.pdf
European Commission, Joint Research Centre (DigComp / Vuorikari et al.). (2017–2022). Digital competence frameworks and supporting tools. Publications Office of the European Union.
Nicolas, R. M. V., & Santos, J. M. (2024). School Administrators’ Technology Management: Paving the Way for Instructional Advancement. International Journal of Research in Innovative Social Sciences & Sustainability, 3(12), 421-438.
Development Academy of the Philippines. (2025). Course on Data Governance for Innovation and Digital Transformation. https://dap.edu.ph/dap-rolls-out-first-agile-shuttle-course-on-data-governance-for-lgus/
(2023). Technology in education: A case study on the Philippines. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387743
(2025). Master in Management of Development (ed. 2025-2026). https://www.itcilo.org/courses/master-management-development-ed-2025-2026
Additional Philippine studies supporting this theme can be found in the Department of Education directives on ICT teacher training and national standards (Education Profiles, 2025) and TESDA’s continuing management programs emphasizing technological and managerial skills (TESDA, 2019).
Education Profiles. (2025). Philippines | Technology. https://education-profiles.org/eastern-and-south-eastern-asia/philippines/~technology
(2019). TESDA administrators gather to upgrade tech-voc institutions. https://www.tesda.gov.ph/Gallery/Details/10297
Acebuche, A. (2023). Digital Leadership Towards Effective School Management. Philippine Journal of Education, March 14, 2023. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=23206
Heim, G. R. (2021). Aims and criteria for advancing technology management: Restructuring of the Journal of Operations Management. Journal of Operations Management, 67(3), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1002/joom.1164
Kyereh, M. O., Addai-Amoah, A. K., & Owusu-Addo, A. (2023). Human Resources Management Practices and the Effectiveness of Senior High School
Educational Research: Theory & Practice, 34(3), 81–95. http://www.nrmera.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ER-TP-V34-3_5-Kyereh-et-al-Human-Resources-Management-Practices.pdf
Livkovic, M., & Rojko, A. (2022). Challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in educational HR management. RSIS International Journal, January 10, 2025. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/challenges-and-opportunities-of-digital-transformation-in-educational-hr-management/
Nicolas, R. M. V., & Santos, J. M. (2024). School Administrators’ Technology Management: Paving the Way for Instructional Advancement. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(12), 421–438. https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.8120033
Technology Integration and Administrative Support on Effective School Management. (2025). International Journal of Finance and Management Review, 7(3), 87-98. https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2025/3/46124.pdf
McKinsey & Company. (2024). AI-driven personalized learning will become mainstream: The impact of adaptive learning technologies in international schools. Retrieved from https://www.gsineducation.com/blog/five-trends-that-will-redefine-international-schools-in-2025
(2025, February 24). The top 10 best colleges in Philippines for tech enthusiasts in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.nucamp.co/blog/coding-bootcamp-philippines-phl-the-top-10-best-colleges-in-philippines-for-tech-enthusiasts-in-2025
Timotheou, S., Chronaki, A., Palaiologou, I., & Latsi, P. (2022). Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors influencing schools’ digital capacity and transformation: A literature review. Frontiers in Education, 7, Article 9684747. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.9684747
Central Mindanao University. (2025, October 1). Academic Paradise of the South. Retrieved from https://www.cmu.edu.ph
Cebu Technological University. (2021, June 25). Graduate studies: Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management. Retrieved from https://www.ctu.edu.ph/graduate-studies/
Vuorikari, R., Punie, Y., & Gomez, S. (2020). The impact of digital technologies on education: A review. JRC Science for Policy Report. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9684747/
RSIS International. (2024, December 28). School administrators’ technology management: Paving the way for instructional advancement. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(12). https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/school-administrators-technology-management-paving-the-way-for-instructional-advancement/
World Bank. (2023). Digital transformation of Philippine higher education (Report No. P177574). https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099925001062333685/pdf/P17757402843a10c90b3e30308406a38304.pdf
(2023, March 7). Technology in education: A case study on the Philippines. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387743
Timotheou, S., Siores, A., & Siores, E. (2022). Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors affecting digital transformation in schools. Education and Information Technologies, 27(6), 7531–7559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11362-w
International Conference on Educational Technology Management (ICETM). (2025, July 21). Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Educational Technology Management. https://www.icetm.org
(2025, February 24). The top 10 best colleges in Philippines for tech enthusiasts in 2025. https://www.nucamp.co/blog/coding-bootcamp-philippines-phl-the-top-10-best-colleges-in-philippines-for-tech-enthusiasts-in-2025