Level of Compliance of Senior High Schools Relative to School Facilities: A Basis for Capability-Building Seminar for School Heads

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

There are numerous problems being faced by our schools today that affect student learning and therefore contribute to the low academic performance of students and high drop-out rates. Some of the challenges are classroom size, poverty, broken family, social media, bullying, lack of parent involvement, absenteeism, child labor, health, and funding. In the Philippines, 80% of the 55 million is considered "out-of-school youths". That is, 57% of our population is unable to have full access to education. One of the main causes is poverty.

METHODS

The participants in this action research were 50 teachers of the 3 schools of District V-B. Since the student-population of 1,176 is quite large, the Slovin Formula was used to determine sample size. As a result, there were 166 male and 133 female samples,with a total of 299 which were proportionate to the number of enrollees per section. The researcher used the descriptive method of research. A survey-questionnaire prepared by the researcher, validated by the division research coordinator was distributed to 50 (population) teachers and 299 SHS students. The frequency of responses with the corresponding percentage was tallied and ranked.

RESULTS

Based on the frequency of responses among Grades 11 and 12 Senior High School student-samples and teachers, it was found that absenteeism, with a frequency of 347 (99. 4%) came out to be the first common problem among the SHS students. It is followed by cutting of classes, with a frequency of 313 (89. 7%) as second, excessive use of social media, with 294 (84.2%) as third, inattentiveness in class, with 253 (72.5%) on the fourth place and tardiness, with 249 (71.3%) as the fifth perceived problem. It is followed by smoking, 243 (69.6%), lack of parents' involvement, 224 (64.2%), cyberbullying, 220 (63.0 %), peer problems, 216 (61.9 %), early pregnancy, 174 (49.9 %), drinking, 163 (46.7 %) and the least perceived problem is the use of drugs, 153 (43.8 %) on both Grades 11 and 12 students.

DISCUSSIONS

Problems on absenteeism and cutting of classes can be considered as factors leading to high drop-out rate if not given an effective intervention program. These identified common problems affect the low academic performance of students as evidenced by the results of Mean Percentage Scores (MPS) of Periodical Tests and other test measures which are below the national standard of 75% proficiency level. A review of the existing intervention program needs to be done.