Absenteeism among Pupils of Tala Elementary School: Basis to an Action Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Absenteeism means chronic absence. In the context of school, it is the systematic or intentional failure from going to school. School absenteeism is an alarming problem for principals, teachers, parents, and society in general, as well as for the pupils in particular. Unaccepted absence hurts peer relationship, which could cause absence. Missed out lessons will result in low scores and low grades. It is the aim of every school to lessen, if not eradicate absenteeism among its pupils. This is because the families of habitual absentee also suffer. For a poverty-stricken family, it may mean a continuation of the poverty and unemployment cycle that run in the family. This also contributes to family conflict. In Tala Elementary School, incidences of absenteeism from June to August 17 were rampant. One way of addressing this problem is to identify the causes of why pupils become absent from school. Once they are singled out, understood and analyzed, specific actions and measures can be undertaken. This will eventually redound to the better performance of the pupils, teachers, and the school in general. It is in this context that this action research was undertaken to identify the causes of absenteeism among pupils.

METHODS

The researcher used the descriptive method of research in undertaking this study. Descriptive research involves describing, analyzing, and interpreting certain conditions which are existing at the time that a study is conducted. It also involved in comparing and contrasting as well as attempting the discovery of a cause-and-effect relationship which is existing at a specific location such as Tala Elementary School, the local study. It described the nature of the situation, which was the problem of absenteeism.

RESULTS

About the extent of absenteeism, more than half of the respondents perceived rampant absenteeism among pupils of Tala Elementary School. Financial problem was the foremost cause of absenteeism among pupils of Tala Elementary School, which was followed by work and lack of motivation. While, with regards to the effects, low grades ranked first followed by missed out lessons.

DISCUSSIONS

It was concluded that financial problems, work, and lack of motivation were the causes of absenteeism, which would result in low grades and eventually, low competencies. It is therefore recommended that more strict implementation of attendance has to be done. Monitoring of absentees has to be done fervently.