Although the problem is pervasive in schools, the attention focused on this issue has been inadequate. Poor student attendance has far reaching effects on the individual, the school, and society in general. Absenteeism is a very alarming problem for administrators, teachers, parents and the society in general, as well as for the students in particular. As a result, students who are not able to finish their studies may end up as a liability of the community and the country as a whole.
In connection to this, The Department of Education intensifies its program to ensure that no student will be left behind and all of them will become productive members of society. In the new K- 12 curriculum, provision on giving awards to students who have a perfect attendance was given consideration to encourage the young learners not to skip their classes and complete their basic education. The giving of awards and recognition is but one of the many ways by which teachers and schools provide students with positive feedback and affirmation, which can improve the learner’s confidence, self-awareness, and enthusiasm for learning.
Other ways by which teachers can provide learners with information about their competence or the value of their accomplishments can be explored. A motivating environment that promotes respect for student diversity and dedication to learning contributes to the creation of a positive school climate that supports the well-being and achievement of all students. The award in perfect attendance is given at the end of every quarter to encourage learners to attend and actively participate in class. Perfect attendance means that a learner must be present in all of his/her classes, and must have no absences for the entire quarter (DepEd Order No. 36, 3. 2016)
In the present situation students are expected not to get absent in their respective classes, if they cannot avoid to miss their classes due unavoidable reasons, still their absences should be regulated. Students should not be absent more than twenty percent from the number school days mandated by the Department of Education.
With this strong implementation under the new K to 12 Program, still absenteeism remains the prevalent problem in not only in school but also in the family and society. Absenteeism 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. In addition, families of habitually absent students can also suffer. For a poverty-stricken family, it may mean a continuation of the poverty and unemployment cycle that may run in the family. This also contributes to family conflicts.
Society also suffers when school-age children are not in school. These children may hang out on the streets. Since they have nothing to do, they resort to petty crimes like stealing other people’s belongings and property. Others may become addicted to drugs or engage in other destructive behavior. Thus, if a student keeps away from school for too long, he may grow up to be a liability to his community and his country as a whole.
This is a long time problem that needs to be addressed. The question on when will it end remain a puzzle to educators. It is primarily because absenteeism did not merely rely on one reason. It has to dig it deeper to extract the root cause of the problem.