Causes of Absenteeism among Pupils of Tinurik Elementary School: Inputs to an Intervention Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The public education system assumed that students regularly attend school. Compulsory education laws back up this assumption. The standards and accountability movement of the past 25 years represent an on-going attempt to make every day of school matter. The assumption that except for illness or the occasional doctor's appointment, family vacation, special event or crisis, students do in fact attend school every day was so strong, but it was not measured.

METHODS

The researcher utilized a descriptive survey method. In survey method research, participants answered questions administered through questionnaires. After the participants answered the questions, researchers described the responses given. For the survey to be both reliable and valid, it was important that the questions were constructed properly. Questions should be written so they are clear and easy to comprehend. This part presents the discussion of the research design, research subjects, and research instruments used, the data gathering procedure and the statistical treatment of the data gathered.

RESULTS

The following were identified causes of absenteeism such as house was far from the school; had a toothache, stomach hurts, had headache, downed with fever/flu and had other diseases like diarrhea, etc. which are under health factors; felt lazy, their friends influenced him/her to be absent from their classes, did not wake up early, these are under personal attitude; it was noisy inside the classroom, classmate/s bullied the student, these are under classroom atmosphere; had no money to buy snacks in school, and had no food are under home-related factors. As a whole, the most prevalent among these causes of absenteeism were fever/flu (health factor), pre-occupied with household chores (home-related factor), and no food (home related).

DISCUSSIONS

The following are recommended to limit the learners' absenteeism and prevent their occurrences:

a.Teachers/advisers should encourage giving proper care and giving medicine if the pupils have fever/flu as a first aid treatment.

b Parents/guardians should be educated and must be aware that their children should not undergo and work household chores during school days.

c. Intervention plan through project PBORS (Put them Back on the Road to Success)was utilized of Tinurik ES to eradicate, if not minimize, absenteeism.