A Qualitative Study on Student Absenteeism: Contributing Factors and Proposed Intervention

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This research study was conducted to determine the reasons why a student is frequently absent in class and what intervention to use in order to eliminate the problem of absenteeism. Attendance rate is essential for students because it is believed that they are more likely to succeed in academics when they attend school consistently. It is difficult for the teacher and the class to build their skills and progress if a large number of students are frequently absent. However, there are times that students do not come to school with or without any valid reasons. Often, it happens twice or thrice a week. Absenteeism in school is the habit of staying away from school without providing a genuine or any reason for not attending classes. It is also a truant behavior that negatively affects the performance among students.

METHODS

The researcher used a qualitative method where a research made questionnaire was used, performs home visitations,and conducted interviews with the people related to the students. Among the grade 8 students of BugtongnapuloNational High School, ten students manifested significant absenteeism and have been the subject of the study.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the students are very much interested in going to school. However, after conducting series of home visitations and interview to the respondents and their family, it is found out that the reasons why they were not able to come to school are: Lack of financial resources, lack of family support and inferiority complex due to their situation.

DISCUSSIONS

The absenteeism that evolves within this study is due to personal reasons, not on the lack of interest in studies. However, the result is the same when talking about academic standing. Since the students are often out of school, their academic standing is low due to missed quizzes and performance. Attendance is vital. However, the factors that have been revealed in this study should be taken into consideration that some intervention might be introduced to help the students to continue their studies. Some of the interventions made were the following, adopt a Child Program, and joining on School-Based Feeding Program for the financially challenged and undernourished students.