Overseas Filipino Workers' Children of Oas Polytechnic School: Experiences and Conditions

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In order to improve and safeguard the welfare of OFW families, and in coping with their children's emotional and psychological problems on separation with their parents, this study was conceptualized. The research highlighted OFWs children experiences and conditions while their parents are not with them.

METHODS

The research problems required both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data were processed through descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentage and mean. The respondents were asked to answer a survey form, the responses from which that were used as the main source of data. After resourcing the data, the in-depth analysis and interpretation were done by the researcher himself. The qualitative data were processed through a one-on-one interview of the respondents who were asked to relate their experiences and express their emotions of being separated from their parents.

RESULTS

There are 43 OFW children enrolled in Oas Polytechnic School. They vary in age ranging from 12 to 16 years old. Enrolled OFW children vary from grades 7 to 10. The common occupation of the parents of OFW children is being a Domestic Helper in Saudi Arabi, United Arab Emirates, and Hongkong. These are the top three destinations of these OFWs. Academically, the majority of them are performing well in school, despite the fact that their parents are not living with them. Financially, they build a budget, which means that they are able to plan a monthly budget to avoid a shortage of money. When they feel the longing for their parents, they do fruitful activities that would lessen their loneliness away from their parents. The common problems of the OFW children in terms of their studies were: struggle in doing homework; being bullied; lack of self-esteem; difficulties in communication and social skills; lack of involvement in school activities; bored in schoolwork; and drop in marks in one or more subjects. Meanwhile in behavioral problems they encountered the following: attention seeker; hardheaded; lack of temper; sensitive to criticisms; dependent on others; playful; easy go lucky.

DISCUSSIONS

The results suggest that there should be continuous profiling of the subsequent OFW children in Oas Polytechnic School to ensure their safety and good condition. The academic and behavioral attitudes of OFW children should be the basis for us teachers to guide and protect them from becoming problem members of society. Support of Parents School and Community are obligatory to ensure the safety of our OFWs children, especially that they are living far away from their parents.