School Dropouts: A Case Study of Public Elementary Schoolsin theDivision ofCalamba City

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Education should be provided to all children as indicated in Presidential Decree No. 603, s. 1974 and the Convention on the Rights of a Child of 1989. The education they will get will mold them into becoming productive citizens of the country. All efforts are exerted to promote their welfare and enhance their opportunities for a useful and happy life. However, there are still challenges encountered in education and one of these concerns is the increasing number of dropouts in schools. The main thrust of this study was to identify the factors leading to the dropping out of elementary pupils in the Division of Calamba City.

METHODS

Using the mixed method, the study utilized a checklist and open-ended questions in gathering data that provided the factors that led to the pupils dropping out and the processes involving the parents or guardians and the teachers prior to and after the children's dropping out. Different programs and interventions which made the children came back to school were also determined through the instrument used. The Pareto Analysis was utilized to identify the priority schools and number of respondents. The frequency count was also utilized.

RESULTS

Based on the data analysis, the parents, teachers, pupils agreed that family problem has been the most common factor of dropping out (f=187) and lack of interest to schooling (f=88). Teachers usually called the attention of parents to report to school and parents went to school to talk about the issue. Teachers conducted home visitation and encouraged the children to go back to school to save these children from dropping out. However, parents allowed the pupils to stop schooling. Among the interventions, counseling of the parents to their children majority helped the pupils to return to school.

DISCUSSIONS

The results of the study assumed the needs to strengthen the interventions of schools in Calamba City especially to the parents and the pupils to reduce dropout rate. With the findings, intensified interventions were crafted.