Reducing Cases of Absenteeism in Grade-IV of Tambis Central Elementary School Through "Ann's Giving Award with Pupils having Perfect attendance Every Month (AGAPPE)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Absenteeism is "chronic absence" according to Merriam Webster Dictionary. In the context of school, it is the habitual or intentional failure to attend school. While every pupil/s may miss some school activities now and then, absence becomes a problem when the student is away from school for many days. It is important for the pupils to go to school regularly. "School absenteeism is an alarming problem for administrators, teachers, parents, society in general, and pupils in particular". The daily attendance (SF2) of the pupils monitored by teacher in Grade IV class shows that there were many pupils who were absent. It shows that there's really a problem in attendance of the Grade IV pupils.

METHODS

The instrument used in this study is a researcher-made questionnaire on the causes of absenteeism in school to determine the source of problems as to what are the reasons or problems they were encountering for being absent in class. The researcher conducted a survey which defines the various factors causing absenteeism of pupils in the class. After some sort of consolidation and evaluation of survey, the researcher found out the highest or main causes for the pupils’ absenteeism. Thus, the researcher introduced an intervention AGAPPE by giving award to pupils with no absences.

RESULTS

Among all the causes presented, health and personal attitude were the primary reason why students were absent from their classes. Did not wake up early and having flu/fever are the leading culprit in this category. Pre-occupied with household chores is just second among the reasons cited by the responding students. Classroom atmosphere and physical factor are also reasons following that order. The least reason they gave was teacher factor. After the intervention was applied, the result showed that the attendance of Grade IV Pupils of Tambis Central Elementary School increased every month and the number of absences decreased. It showed an improvement of the pupils’ attendance after the intervention given. AGAPPE gave excitement and interest to pupils’ daily attendance.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the result of this research, the researcher concluded that AGAPPE is an effective intervention in reducing pupils’ absenteeism in class and hereby recommend to utilize AGAPPE to the pupils with having most number of absences in the class. The study is also applicable to any grade level.