ACTION RESEARCH ON ABSENTEEISM OF THE GRADE VIII STUDENTS

OF 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 8Pasteur 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 8Pasteur 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 school
d. 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. DEPITA
Teacher I