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THERESE-MTC COLLEGES COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION PROGRAMS Iloilo City, Philippines Chapter 1 Introduction Background of the Study Licensure examination for seafarers is a set of tests designed to make sure seafarers are competent. It is a kind of examination that measures the knowledge of seafarers. It is an examination that the seafarers must pass to have a license and to have a promotion onboard ship. This examination is similar to the examinations in schools because it covers the entire subject that is related to the course. The requirements in taking the licensure examination for seafarers are the following: original and photo copies of Transcript of Records with Special Order and Date of Graduation with scanned pictures, graduates of New Schools, Degree Programs must submit School Recognition and/or Permit to Operate, original and photo copy of NSO-issued of Birth Certificate, and other specific requirements as required by the commission and/or the professional regulatory board. As a country, the Philippines is regarded as the largest provider of seafarers in the worlds market. Filipino seamen or seafarers are among the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who significantly contribute to the annual billions of dollar remittances to the countrys national coffer. However, the sad plights of these Filipino seafarers in terms of career growth and development appear to be neglected. Most of them started their career as ordinary seamen (OS) occupying the lowest level position onboard the ship and sadly remain in those positions until their retirement. There is an imbalance between the supply of Filipino management level officers aboard international ships and those in the lower level positions such as operational and support

ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION PROGRAMS Iloilo City, Philippines levels. Very great majority of Filipino seafarers work aboard ship as operational level officers and support level personnel (http://library.iated.org/view/OBLEPIAS2011FIL.). As of the present, the worldwide supply and demand scenario is experiencing a critical shortage of merchant marine officers and a surplus of ratings. The Philippines is the leading supplier of maritime manpower with Filipino seafarers comprising almost 30% of the worlds seafarers in year 2005. However, out of this figure, the countrys share of senior officers in the global fleet is only 14.8%. A closer look on the number of Filipino seafarers by rank shows that only about 10% are senior officers, 24% are junior officers and 65% are ratings. (http://www.nmp.gov.ph/frames/pdf/FACTORSExecutive%20Summary.pdf.) Why that there is few Filipino seafarers are able to get there license as an officer and most of them are only lower rank and not promoted to higher rank? What is the reason behind? There are many factors to be considered before taking the licensure examination such as financial, physical and mental and a lot more. After graduation, maritime graduates undergo apprenticeship for a year either on inter-island or international vessels as a requirement. He undergoes further trainings required either the course or by the shipping company. Apprenticeship on an international vessel earns dollar as compared to licensed seafarers in quit below those who were. To earn more to be well-off as seafarers ought to be is to be a licensed seafarer. The licensure examination is a crucial challenge for seafarers.

ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION PROGRAMS Iloilo City, Philippines Due to the forgoing reasons, we, the researchers designed a study that aims to determine the factors that affect the success of seafarers when taking the licensure examination. Statement of the problem The primary purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the success of seafarers when taking the licensure examination. To understand the problem, the following questions will be asked: 1. What are the prevalent factors affecting the examinees taking the licensure examination for seafarers? Objectives 1. To identify the prevalent factors affecting the examinees taking the licensure examination for seafarers. Definition of Terms For the purpose of clarity of the study, the following are the conceptual and operational definition: Prevalent having the superiority or ascendency; dominant. (Grammercy, 1997) In this study, this refers to the factors that greatly affect the licensure examination. Examination the granting of licenses especially to practice a profession; also; the state of being licensed (source Merriam-Webster Dictionary) In this study, it refers to the stat. Factors one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation. (Grammecy, 1997)

ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION PROGRAMS Iloilo City, Philippines In this study, factors refer to time management, physical, mental, emotional and financial status that affects the examinees in taking licensure examination. Seafarer a man who serves as a sailor; a person who navigates or assists in navigating ship. (Merriam Webster, Advanced English Dictionary) In this study, the term refers to the examinees who will be taking the licensure examination in order for them to get a rank.

Significance of the study The result of the study will be beneficial to the following: Maritime Institutions. This could serve as a basis of the maritime institutions with regards to strategies or mechanisms to be employed in order to pass the licensure examination of their students. Review Centers. The results of our study will help the review centers to focus on particular items or areas to be reviewed for high percentage of passers. Seafarers. This will help to know the factors affecting licensure examination, and serves as basis to them to know how they able to pass the examination. Maritime Students. The results of the study will help them focus on the factors affecting licensure examination, and for them to do necessary preparation for the said examination. Future Researchers. The results of our study will serve as a related literature on the same or relevant subject matter. Scope and Limitations of the Study

ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION PROGRAMS Iloilo City, Philippines This study will follow the principles of descriptive research as it aims to determine the level of perception of professional instructors regarding the factors that affect the examinees in taking the licensure examination. The said respondents will be selected through purposive sampling, and will be grouped according to age, rank or designation onboard, length of sea service. Necessary data will be gathered through a survey questionnaire that will be constructed, and validated. In treating the gathered data, weighted means, t-test for the independent samples analysis of variance will be the statistical tools used in the study and statistical data will be referred to a statistician for analysis and interpretation.