Quarterly Home Visitation: An Avenue to Minimize Absenteeism of Grade V-Acacia Pupils From Upper Mainit Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Absenteeism, as defined, means chronic absence. If taken for granted and left unattended, it would eventually become habitual which would pose problems on the academic activity of a student or pupil. This action research is aimed at presenting periodic home visitation as a solution to minimize, if not eradicate, the instances of absenteeism which has been observed as a perennial problem of the Grade 5-Acacia pupils of Upper Mainit Elementary School.

METHODS

This study will use the descriptive survey method. A questionnaire will be used to determine the causes of absenteeism among the students where they will be rated in each situation/reason/cause presented. The pupils will answer the questionnaire. The parents will be informed of the answers of their children, and the same will be discussed with them. Based on the results of our discussions with the parents, this would be the instance where and when we have to design program of periodic home visitation to cut, lessen, or minimize absenteeism of their children.

RESULTS

Among the reasons cited, the distance of the student's house to the school has a response average or a mean of 3.18. Toothache, stomach ache, and headache have the highest response average of 3.54. That the student doesn't wake up early is the most common reason why he/she is absent. This accounts for a response average or a mean of 2.11. On the academic aspect, there are those who answered that they can't understand their lessons and assignments. And this accounts for a response average or a mean of 2.25. The reason that "it is noisy inside their classroom" has a response average of 1.78.

DISCUSSIONS

From the result of the survey conducted among the Grade 5-Acacia pupils of Upper Mainit Elementary School, it was found out that health problems is the number (1) reason why the pupils are absent from school. Number (2) reason is the distance of the student's house to the school. It is followed by one of the home-related factor, with the reason that: "Their parents ask them to be absent to perform household chores". Next is number (4) which is one of the academic factors, with the reason that they can't understand their lessons and assignments. Lastly is one of the personal attitude factor, with the reason that they don't wake up early. The above-mentioned causes, as reasoned out by the pupils in the survey questionnaire, are considered main factors which lead them to be frequently absent from school.