VOICES BEHIND ABSENCES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AMONG 4PS BENEFICIARIES

Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities , Education

This research explored and investigated the reasons, challenges, coping mechanism, strategies and insights among 10 selected high school 4Ps beneficiaries in Tandawan Integrated School, New Bataan District, Division of Davao de Oro. The study used the phenomenological research design. Findings revealed the reasons of frequently absent in class we’re taking care of siblings, sickness and exhaustion, lack of money for transportation and food, assisting father with farm work, feeling embarrassed without allowance, feeling embarrassed when both parents argue, bad weather, taking care with sick family and flood and stress from family conflicts. The school attendance impact on academic performance we’re losing confidence and enthusiasm, grades drop, lose hopes, and cannot focus and follow lessons. Classmates influence one’s decision to attend or skip school were gives motivations and reminder the importance of school, some influence to make bad decisions, big impact, help oneself learn the lesson, seeing classmates attending classes gives encouragement, share their notes and strength through teamwork. Moreover, the challenges faced regarding school attendance problem in school were challenge of being an eldest child, household responsibilities, financial problem, being poor, family conflict, living far from school and cannot afford transportation. The problem become challenge in terms of frequent absences cannot comprehend lessons and behind quizzes, affecting grades and performance, feeling ashamed going back to school, financial problem, unstable home environment, influence by friends not doing good, distance from school, responsibilities and family situation. The disciplinary action school enforce due to repeated absences as a 4ps beneficiary were teacher gives warning and reminder, teacher might call the parent, school report to 4ps, being terminated, teacher inform parents, remind students and warning from school coordinator. The coping mechanisms to address challenges encountered were ask notes and module, ask activities from teachers, ask help from classmates, study modules and activity sheet and home study.

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