Pregnancy is only the beginning of challenges for teenage mothers and their families. Teenage mothers face individual challenges that make it more difficult for them to finish in higher education. This phenomenological study aims to (1) solicit the lived experiences of pregnant teenagers who are still pursuing education in different schools in Tacloban City (2) identify the challenges of pregnant teenagers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and (3) determine their coping mechanisms. Moreover, the researchers used Purposive Sampling technique in choosing the respondents and used Thematic Analysis in analyzing the data. There is a total of ten (10) selected respondents from the different schools in the city. This study found that the pandemic brought a serious mental problem including frustrations, stress, anxiety, and depression in their life. Most of the participants experienced difficulties in concentrating on their studies, they often made absences of their class to take care themselves, and they encountered financial crisis during lockdowns. It is also revealed that most of the respondents claimed that all problems must be face courageously. It is evident from this study that it is important to have coping mechanism like acquiring support to others and face the challenges courageously. There is a need for women to be given the chance to make decisions about their futures on their own as well as have access to appropriate education. Furthermore, a need for their teachers to be aware of their situation so that they do not fall behind in their lessons and activities.

COVID-19

challenges

Coping mechanisms

teenage pregnancy