Absenteeism: Its Causes and Effects to the Academic Performance of Grade Six Pupils of Rudes ES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Going to school regularly is crucial for a student's education and social skills. Every school aims to lessen, if not eradicate, absenteeism among its students. One way of addressing this problem is to identify the causes of students’ truancy from school. Once they are singled out, understood and analyzed, specific actions and measures can be undertaken. This will eventually lead to the improved performance of the students, teachers and the school in general. This study aimed to determine the causes of absenteeism and its effect on the academic performance of the Grade Six pupils of Rudes Elementary School.

METHODS

This research utilized the descriptive survey method. It described the factors of absenteeism among the Grade Six pupils of Rudes Elementary School which were classified as: physical factors, health factors, teacher-related reasons, personal attitudes, classroom atmosphere, and home-related factors. This study was correlated with the effects of absenteeism based on the SF2 which determines their daily attendance. A questionnaire that was adapted from the survey conducted by Loren Murcia (2010) was used to determine the causes of absenteeism among the students where they rated each situation/reason/cause presented.

RESULTS

This study likewise determined whether absenteeism affects the academic performance of the Grade Six pupils. Based on the data gathered, it showed that absenteeism has a significant effect on the academic performance of the Grade Six pupils.Upon the analysis of the data, it indicated that pupils who have better attendance have higher academic performance. Among all the causes presented, health is the primary reason why students are absent from their classes. Flu/fever is a leading factor in this category. Oral health, which according to theDepartment of Education is the main reason why pupils are absent, is just third among the reasons cited in the said category by the Grade Six pupils.

DISCUSSIONS

School absenteeism is an alarming problem for administrators, teachers, parents and the society in general, as well as for the pupils in particular. Thus, itis important to identify the causes for the absenteeism of Grade Six pupils in this school because recognizing the patterns of early absenteeism will provide valuable information concerning the challenges these students face and will allow the schools to take action.