I. ABSTRACT
This action research was undertaken, that is, primarily, to identify the factors that cause pupils’ absenteeism from their classes, to provide information on the incidence of learner absenteeism in the school, to provide an analysis of the systems that exist in reducing learner absenteeism and monitoring school record-keeping, and to examine the implications of student absenteeism and how does it affects with their academic performances. This action research examined the factors that cause absenteeism of the Grade VIII students of Dr. Juan A. Pastor Integrated National High School for the school year 2021-2022. During first and second grading periods, most number of absentees were recorded. The data gathered was based from the school register (SF1) that was recorded, kept and filled up by the class adviser every day. At the beginning of the third grading period, some of the pupils were still frequent absentees. Because of this scenario, this research was undertaken. It has been responsibility of the teacher to correct such undesirable pupil behavior. Based on the findings, methods/strategies were recommended to minimize, if not eradicate absenteeism or truancy.
The most common causes of absenteeism can be used as basis of the teachers, parents and administrator in determining the kind of assistance to be given as well as in assessing the impact of frequent absences to academic performance of the pupils
II. INTRODUCTION
Student absenteeism is a serious issue in public education. Concerted efforts have been expended aimed at engaging students and promoting active learning, but schools are still full of “clock -watchers”. Many high schoolers regularly skip classes and to, according some inside reports, “the hallways are virtually empty some Friday afternoons.”
Student absenteeism is a major concern for lecturers at institutions of higher learning. Absences create a dead, tiresome, unpleasant classroom environment that makes students who come to class uncomfortable and the lecturer irritable. Absenteeism disturbs the dynamic teaching-learning environment and adversely affects the overall well-being of classes. In quality terms, absenteeism is a waste of educational resources, time and human potential. Student absenteeism also causes rework and wasted time for lecturers. Lecturers who spend class time re-teaching lessons take instructional time away from students who attend class regularly, and the extra time spent going over absentee homework and class assignment stakes time away from lecturer planning periods and time needed to provide individual assistance. When students are absent from class, they miss valuable information resulting from peer-lecturer interaction and the benefits of the specific examples lecturers use to clarify difficult concepts
Going to school regularly is crucially important for a student’s education and social skills. Chronically absent students are at a disadvantage both socially and academically. They miss out on critical stages of social interaction and development with their peers, while simultaneously limiting their academic progress. This can result in low self-esteem, social isolation, and dissatisfaction that could well have precipitated non-attendance in the first place.
School absenteeism is an alarming problem for administrators, teachers, parents, society in general, and pupils in particular. Unaccepted absences have a negative effect on peer relationships, which can cause further absences. Teachers identified the effects of absenteeism on students as:
• Academic under-achievement.
• Difficulty in making friends which could lead to boredom and loss of confidence.
• Prolonged absence can have deleterious effects for the child in later life.
• Students who are absent from school are at the greatest risk of dropping out of school early.
Absenteeism also affects the teacher’s ability to present classwork in a sequential and organized way. This can have an effect on the progress of all the students in the class. It is the aim of every school to lessen, if not eradicate, absenteeism among its students. One way of addressing this problem is to identify the causes of truancy. Once they are singled out, understood, and analyzed, these issues may be addressed with specific actions and measures. This will eventually result in the better performance of the students, teachers, and the school in general.
While other families have limited resources for schooling, there are also parents who give more than what their children need, especially parents who work abroad and the children are left to the care of the “yayas”. Since children have nobody to cling to in times of trouble, they join their “barkadas” for protection. Some spend most of their time in the computer houses and internet cafes. The lures of computer games entice these children to give more time in playing rather than staying in school. Over time, schooling is neglected.
Since, evaluation is an integral part of the educative process and forms the basis for decisions as to the nature of the next experience needed by the learner while the attendance of the pupils really affects their scholastic ratings, teachers must do something in order for these pupils to come to school and attend their classes regularly.
It is often argued that the effects of absenteeism are profoundly negative both for the involved individuals and the communities in where pupils live. It is argued that learners who are frequently absent are at risk of not achieving their educational, social or psychological potential and their future career prospects are limited. These learners may become socially isolated, place themselves at risk of harm during periods of absence, involve themselves in socially unacceptable and/or illegal activities, have gaps in their knowledge and understanding of basic concepts, feel insecure in the school environment, leave school early, be over-represented in the juvenile justice system and victimize of bullying and harassment.
Generally, some of the common factors that cause absenteeism of pupils from their classes are: pupils’ boredom on the teacher’s teaching style, students’ poor physical health condition, school’s geographical location from their houses, students’ lack of interest, conduciveness of classroom atmosphere and family problem like separation of parents, domestic violence and mostly poverty.
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