ACTION RESEARCH ON ABSENTEEISM OF THE GRADE VIII STUDENTSOF A. S. BERNARDO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Abstract

Absenteeism among my students is one of the problems which I would like to minimize, if not eradicate completely. That is why I conducted an action research to understand them better. I dont want to rely on the reasons or causes I read in magazines, books or the web. This would provide me with a more accurate analysis of why some of my students are perennial absentees. This would help me formulate plans, projects and programs to minimize their absences. I hope that it would also enlighten everyone even those who are not part of the school system, who knows, they might be of help in one way or another to solve student absenteeism.This action research examined the cause of absenteeism of Grade 8-Pasteur of A. S. Bernardo Memorial National High School for the school year 2013-2014. This was gathered from the data contained in the daily attendance record and students performance at the end of the school year.

Introduction

Going to school regularly is crucially imported for a students education and social skills. Chronic absentee students are placed at a disadvantage both socially and academically. They miss out on critical stages of social interaction and development with their peers at the same impacts negatively on their academic progress. This can result to low self-esteem, social isolation and dissatisfaction that could well have precipitated non-attendance in the first place.

The students came from different cultures and their interest in education varied. The classes are heterogeneous meaning there is no classification of the students according to their General Point Average.Those students who showed low academic performance need a constant follow-up for their attendance and requirements. The frequent absences of these students affect their grades.

If the absences of the students become habitual, there is a need to be investigated in the light of action research. Hence, it is the purpose of this study to conduct an action research in order to identify the possible causes that drive students to be absent.

Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to determine the causes of absenteeism among Grade 8-Pasteur of A. S. Bernardo Memorial National High School. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the common causes why students are absent from their classes?2. Which among these causes is the most prevalent?

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study was limited to the causes of absenteeism among Grade 8-Pasteur students of A. S. Bernardo Memorial National High School for the school year 2013-2014 and its effect to their academic performance. All 30 students were made as respondents.

Summary of the causes of Students Absenteeism

a. Personal attitude is one of the reasons why a student absent from his/her class.b. Another is feeling lazy and lack of concentration on their studies most specially in making of their projects and requirements and that they were not able to study their lessons.c. Playing computer games also keep them away from schoold. Lack of financial support is also one of the factors affecting the absences of students. During submission of projects those students who cannot bring with them the requirements will opt to be absent.e. Self-supporting students, students who are absent to earn for living out of poverty especially during harvest time.f. Health condition of students is also causing them to absent from their class.g. The most prevalent and alarming cause of absenteeism among students is the influence of the environment. Their peers would eventually influence them to be absent, most of them indulge to cutting classes in the afternoon.

Recommendation

There are deeper reasons for student absenteeism. I commend you for this effort, I hope that teachers, school heads and stakeholders should pull themselves together to deal with students and parents, everybody and everything that contribute to the many effects , normally negative, that students absenteeism get and give. By surfacing the many reasons for their absences, teachers and school would realize that there is not only to teach but to take good care of things that affects teaching and learning. Teachers have yet to realize how deep the reason for not coming to school before passing judgement on their performance that include their being absent. Teachers have to see their mission bigger than teaching.

a. Impose rewards or merit system on students attendance like the perfect attendance for a certain grading period.b. Create an agreement with the HRPTA for a classroom policy to address the problem.c. Imbibe the mind of the students that their academic success is very much dependent on their attitude towards school. Motivate them so they will be looking forward to attending their classes regularly.d. Do not scold students who come late. Give them the time-table to change their sleeping habit for the better.e. Give extra attention to those who are left behind in the lessons. Tap the bright students to teach their slower classmates, for all we know, these students might learn or understand better if persons of their same age are the ones explaining to them.f. Conduct HRPTA meeting regularly.g. Conduct seminar on responsible parenthood.

CHRISTINA C. DEPITATeacher I