Cause and Effect of Absenteeism among SHS students of ECSI

A Research
Presented to
Students and Teachers of Emmaus Christian School

Submitted by:
Laurence Fernando
Michael Gregorio
Eros Marmol
Glaiza Picardal
Camille Santos
Kian Patrick Sultan
Introduction
Absenteeism in school is the habit of staying away from school without

providing a genuine or any reason for not attending classes. It is a behaviour that

negatively affects the performance of a student. Absenteeism, according to Merriam-

Webster dictionary means chronic absence. In the context of the school it is the habitual

or intentional failure from going to school. It cannot be denied that every now and then,

students may miss some school activities and lessons. But it becomes a problem if the

student will be away from school for many days. When a student misses a day of

school, they lost the chance to hear others, interpret and analyzing the lessons or joins

the interaction within the class. This lost is being rooted to two different courses and

varying factors under these courses. The inquiry might be a family situation or an

individual problem. Then, under these courses are the factors that contribute to a child’s

regular truancy. These may be finance concerns, disability, psychotic imbalance, poor

school climate, family health, transportation problems, drug and alcohol use, and

differing community attitude towards education (Savers, D. etal, 2005). Absenteeism in

students affects their school performances especially when they are in a group or

teamwork for their assignments and projects. Since grouping will help develops the

student’s cooperative and ability to share and gain knowledge from their group mates,

likewise, the group mates will also miss the opportunity of gaining knowledge from the
absent student (Koppenhaver, 2003). According to Marburg (2001), the difficulty

inferring the effect of

absenteeism on performance because, once a student is absent in a class, they will

miss the opportunity to learn other techniques, they will found out that missing in class

progresses the likelihood of missing examination material covered that day compared to

the students who were present in the class. Students who have spent time attending

lectures or classes have a significant, positive effect on students’ performance.

Absenteeism alone, when a large part of the school population is involved may not only

cause a problem to the school but also to the local administration (Williams, L., 2001).

Adolescents experience great developmental change during this period and struggle

with issues of self-identity and acceptance by peers and adults. Experiencing transition

from middle school to high school, while also coping with the stress of adolescent

development, may be too much for some

adolescents to endure. They may become so overwhelmed that they may not have the

abilities to adapt well to the new school environment (Bee & Boyd 2003). In the

Philippines, based on 2008 data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), out

of 100 Grade One pupils, only 66 finish Grade Six. Only 58 of the 66 go on to enroll in

first-year high school and only 43 finish high school. Of the 43 who finished high school,

only 23 enroll in college and only 14 of the 23 graduate from college (Muzones and De

Jesus, 2009). DepEd records show that the DORP have reduced the high school
dropout rate from 12.51 percent in 2005-2006 to 8.55 percent in school year 2006-2007,

and even a lower 7.45 percent in school years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 (Carcamo,

2011).

Absenteeism and truancy are symptoms of a much greater problem that is often

manifested by students missing school. Therefore, rather than being the primary

problems, absenteeism and truancy are indicators of other problems. Some of the

problems may include poverty, family stress, lack of connectedness, boredom, or

learning difficulties. Because absenteeism itself is not the problem, punitive

interventions directed toward the student do not bring about improved student

attendance (Des Moines Public Schools, 2005). Children who are retained in grade may

show poorer attendance, social adjustment, and attitudes toward school compared to

those not retained in grade. They are also more likely to drop out of school than those

students who are not retained (Hoffman et al., 2003). Other students indicate that they

have negative relationships with their teachers and fellow students. Security was an

issue for some students, as they did not feel safe at school. Many students had

academic issues and have not felt successful in school (Railsback, 2004). Epstein and

Sheldon (2002), stated that student with absenteeism miss opportunities to learn the

material that enables them to succeed later in school and fall behind their classmates in

academic achievement. The consequences of high level school absenteeism can be

detrimental for students. In other words, absenteeism among high school students can

lead to more negative effect such as low academic performance and many social
problems. Based on the students' academic abilities, students are separated by

academic ability and course assignments. The

requirements for high school courses require increased specialization and different

instructional techniques by teachers and more advanced study skills by students (Kerri,

2002). Poor performance in school either

directly harms a student's self-perception, or leads the student to disengage from

academics in order to protect or maintain their perception of self-worth and value

(Griffin, 2002).

This research also identifies common problems that contribute to chronic absenteeism.

1. Bad grades/Poor performance

Struggling in class can be demoralizing for students, and leaves them wondering

whether it’s worth going to school in the first place. However, a little bit of effort at home

can go a long way? Whether it’s free tutoring, mentoring, or afterschool learning

programs, there are multitudes of ways to inspire confidence in students, and help them

feel that more welcome in the classroom.

2. Relationship Issues

Though academic difficulties are problematic, for many students, bullying can make

school feel unsafe, both physically and emotionally. Recognizing the signs of bullying is
an important step for teachers and parents alike. And while children can be reluctant to

talk about bullying they’re experiencing, there are plenty of resources, even apps that

offer tips on how to have these kinds of conversations.

3. Peer Pressure

Relationships can affect students when it comes to their performance in school and the

kind of grades they earn. School relationships can have a negative or positive affect on

the student’s daily performance. If a student feels like they could not manage their

grades and a relationship, they should not be in one. However, some relationships can

encourage success in school. Relationships in high school can have many perks and

many cons.
Methodology

Conceptual Framework

This study employed quantitative research design that explores the nature of

school absenteeism among senior high students of 12-Gas/Humss in Emmaus Christian

School. 32 respondents will be interview and they will give their personal experiences

and information about absenteeism. The system approach (Input- Process- Output

system) was used in describing the conceptual framework of the study. As shown in

Figure 1.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Socio-Demographic
profile of students:  Students  Effects on
experience students’
 Name that causes academic
(Optional) them to have performance
often absences
in class  Effects on
 Grade and student’s
Strand Common causes of
communicati
absences:
on with
 Bad teachers and
grades/Poor their families
performance
 Relationship  Effects on
Issues student’s
 Peer Pressure relationship
with friends
 Figure 1. The Schematic Diagram of the Study

Input will gather socio-demographic information from our senior high students.

Process will focus on student’s experience that causes them to have often

absences in class.

Output will determine the effects of absenteeism on students’ academic

performance, communication between teachers and their families and student’s

relationship among friends and schoolmates.

Results of absenteeism are to be identified, so the solutions can be formulated

to materialize the aims of the school and the individuals.

Data Gathering Procedures

Questionnaire Form. This instrument was structured by the researchers to set up

the socio-demographic profile of the student. The said instrument will be used to

determine the name, grade and strand of the respondents. This instrument will be used

to determine the effects of chronic absenteeism among students and their contribution
in school. The effects of absenteeism to student’s will be enumerated in determining the

answers of the respondents.

Data Analysis

Percentage Analysis. Is our method to represent raw streams of data as a

percentage (a part in 100 - percent) for better understanding of collected data.

Percentage Analysis is applied to create a contingency table from the frequency

distribution and represent the collected data for better understanding.

The frequency of each response will be determined on the number of the

respondents who will check in the particular item. The Demographic Profile of the

respondents will be determined by using the formula of percentage.

 Academic Performance Agree Strongly Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
Questions
1. Absenteeism affects grades.
2. Absenteeism gives pressure when
teachers are giving schoolwork’s.
3. Fear comes when teacher ask about the
past lessons tackled on the time that the
student is absent.
4. Being absent always in class gives
frustration.

SURVEY QUESTIONAIRE
Name (optional): __________________________________ Grade and Strand:
________________

Communication between Agree Strongly Disagree Strongly

Teachers and Families Agree Disagree

Questions
1. Talking with teachers about difficulties
experienced by student will help regain
knowledge.
2. Parents have concern about absences
of their children’s.
3. Teacher's counseling helps to prevent
being absent in class?
4. Teacher gives consideration about
being absent in class?
Directions: Answer the following questions by checking the boxes below. Check the best
answer.
Table 1: Related questions about students’ academic performance
Table 2: Related questions about students’ communication between teachers and families
 Relationship with Friends and Classmates Agree Strongly Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree

Questions
1. Friends are always there to motivate
absentee to come school regularly.
2. Frequent school absences affects
relationship between friends and
classmates.
3. Classmates are always there to help
absentee recover past lessons tackled
by teachers.
4. Embarrassment comes when friends
and classmates see bad grades and
poor performance of absentee in class.
Table 3: Related questions about student relationship between friends and schoolmates
Bibliography
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