Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies

This qualitative study explored the leadership experiences and leadership development needs of Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) advisers in a school district in the northern Philippines and used the findings to formulate a proposed capacity-building programme. Seven advisers from five public and two private secondary schools participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis process. Six themes were developed: navigating the multifaceted adviser role; managing the intricacies of SSLG advisership; learning through leadership experience; strengthening core leadership competencies; augmenting technical and administrative competencies; and contextualised and sustained professional development. Participants described responsibilities involving mentoring, facilitation, communication, conflict management, project implementation, policy compliance, documentation, monitoring and evaluation, and resource management while continuing their teaching duties. Development needs centred on mentoring and coaching, conflict management, communication, decision-making, project management, policy literacy, documentation, monitoring and evaluation, and sustained professional support. The findings informed a differentiated capacity-building programme consisting of orientation, applied workshops, peer mentoring, coaching, technical assistance, and structured follow-up. Because the study was bounded to one district and seven advisers, the findings are intended for contextual transfer rather than statistical generalisation.