Running Head: ABSENTEEISM AS VIEWED BY THE STUDENTS OF COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences Bradlee H. Futalan Divine Word College of Legazpi

Author Note This paper was prepared for Educational Psychology, taught by Dr. Rose Marie Clemeña

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 2 . Abstract Absenteeism has been one of the mainstream problems of the instructors to their students. This study explored many reasons behind why the students are being absent in their classes. The study adopted a survey research design as the original framework for data gathering. Data were collected with 50 students from the College of Arts and Sciences of the Divine Word College of Legazpi. The study revealed that the most common reason of student absenteeism is attending an important appointment such as: Family Events, Meetings, Conference and other important gatherings. The study also found that the least reason of student absenteeism is being bully by a classmate. Keywords: Absenteeism, Students

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 3 . Class Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences Attendance is an important factor in school that help the students’ get a high grades. Studies show that better attendance is related to higher academic achievement for students of all backgrounds (Shaini Jaura, 2012). One common discipline problem found is Absenteeism that Instructors encounter. Absenteeism in school is the habit of staying away from school without providing a genuine or any reason for not attending classes. Absenteeism is a truant behavior that negatively affects the performance among students (Timothy Keter, 2013). The issue is students who stay away from school without permission will not only be left behind in the learning process, but worse still they will probably end up in drug abuse, gangsterism, alcohol consumption, free sex, gambling and loitering (Suhid, Aroff, Kamal, 2012). Certainly, playing truant is a discipline problem, and where do these truants go to and what they do during the time of their absence from school are related concerns. A research suggests that individual, family, and school characteristics can all influence student attendance. Existing research suggests that the effect of missing school may include course failure, disengagement from school, lower test scores, persistent patterns of chronic absenteeism or truancy in subsequent grades, as well as the increased risk of dropping out (Chang & Romero, 2008; Romero & Lee, 2007; Balfanz & Byrnes, 2012). This is why student absenteeism is a serious issue in education. This is a major concern for lecturers at institutions of higher learning. There are certain reasons of absenteeism of students. These reasons include students could be lacking interest in the study, which could be as a result of content that is difficult for them to grasp hence pushing them away from school and too lazy to go to school (Timothy Keter, 2013). The approach used by instructors may not be understood by the student; this could

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 4 . lead them to lose interest in school and telling that the instructors are boring or dull (Timothy Keter, 2013). Sickness or diseases or like asthma which requires attention and care as well as an environment that is warm and not dusty could make students remain home (Timothy Keter, 2013). School Infrastructural Facilities, lack of libraries, sports facilities is a hindrance to attendance of school among students (Timothy Keter, 2013). Accessibility of entertainment facilities like cinemas could divert attention of some students from school (Timothy Keter, 2013). Excess of school works, as a result student choose to finish other subject than to attend a class (Shaini Jaura, 2012). The majority did not attend the class (Shaini Jaura, 2012). Being bully by a classmate and feeling unwelcomed at class is one of the reasons of student absenteeism (Thi, 1994). Attending an important appointment such as Family events, meetings, conference and other important gatherings is also a reason (Kent County Council). Students who disappear mysteriously every Friday of the week; known as the disease, Friday sickness (Donna Fresnido, 2010). Students who are lacking financially cause absenteeism (Elaine Bedel, 2011). And lastly the very common being late at school; some students don’t go to class anymore because of late in class (Alfie Kohn, July 2011). All of these are the reasons of student absenteeism. This study explored the reasons of the students’ absenteeism, particularly in College of Arts and Sciences. Methods Population The population of this research is composed of random students from the College of Arts and Sciences of the Divine Word College of Legazpi for a total of 50 participants.

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 5 . Instrument Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed. The items developed in the questionnaire refer to some related previous studies. The questionnaire is composed of one part only. The questionnaire contains 14 questions related to the reasons of being absent of the student from school. A two-point scale is used to identify the reasons of being absent of the student. The scale are Yes and No. The questionnaire was validated by Dr. Mary Jane Reduta (Professor at DWCL College of Education). Out of 50 students 4 of them were interviewed about their answers. Data Analysis The data obtained through the questionnaire were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 to get the percentage, frequency, and mean. Results Background of Respondents The respondents were 32 girls (64%) and 18 boys (36%). The 50 students are 25% part of the College of Arts and Sciences population with 203 students. Table 1 Background of Respondents Respondents Gender Male Female Course/Program Biology Library Science Economics English Language Mathematics Political Science Psychology Total Frequency 18 32 3 3 7 9 4 8 16 50 Percentage 36% 64% 6% 6% 14% 18% 8% 16% 32% 100%

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 6 . Percentage of Yes The first objective of this study is to find out what is the most common reason of student absenteeism of College of Arts and Sciences students. A percentage range was used to identify these factors. From the 50 students who answered, 40 (80%) of them answered that one of the reasons of being absent is they attend a very important matter such as Family events, meetings or important gatherings. Table 2 Percentage of Yes
Reasons Very late, better not to attend the class Being lazy The instructor is boring/dull The topic is not interesting Got sick Most of your classmates/friends will not attend the class Attend a very important matter (e.g. Family Events, Meetings, Important Gathering, etc.) It’s Friday (better known as the Friday sickness) Doing projects/tasks in other subjects Feeling not welcome in the class Have a classmate that bullying you Financial Problem Insufficient facilities in school Better to unwind & go to the mall with friends rather than to attend the class Feel sleepy Yes 37 23 24 22 27 31 40 14 36 13 6 9 12 15 15 Percentage 74% 46% 48% 44% 54% 62% 80% 28% 72% 26% 12% 18% 24% 30% 30%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Percentage of No For the second objective of this study which is to find out what is the least reason of the students’ absenteeism. A percentage range was used again to identify these factors. 44 (88%) students answered that they are not being bully by their classmate.

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 7 . Table 3 Percentage of No
Reasons Very late, better not to attend the class Being lazy The instructor is boring/dull The topic is not interesting Got sick Most of your classmates/friends will not attend the class Attend a very important matter (e.g. Family Events, Meetings, Important Gathering, etc.) It’s Friday (better known as the Friday sickness) Doing projects/tasks in other subjects Feeling not welcome in the class Have a classmate that bullying you Financial Problem Insufficient facilities in school Better to unwind & go to the mall with friends rather than to attend the class Feel sleepy No 13 27 26 28 23 19 10 36 14 37 44 41 38 35 35 Percentage 26% 54% 52% 56% 46% 38% 20% 72% 28% 74% 88% 82% 76% 70% 70%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Discussion The purpose of this study is to find out what is the most common reason of student absenteeism. Based on the result of the study, most of the students’ reason is attending very important matters like family events, meetings or important gatherings. One of the students that have been interviewed shared that she rather chooses to miss the lecture than to miss a very important matters, especially if a special or close individual is expecting her for that gathering. The second one is better not to attend the class because of being very late. Another student shared that it’s better not to attend the class in times of being very late. He told that one of the professors embarrass him in front of the class every time his late. Limitations The findings of this study are limited to the sample used. My research had several limitations. This study was primarily limited by its small sample size, with only 25% of the total

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 8 . population of students in the College of Arts and Sciences. The sample could have been expanded by including; an earlier starts in data collection which would help to increase the time needed to survey more participants and more contact with the target sample would increase participation. It was difficult to find the other sample because of their different class schedules. Future Research A possible way to obtain greater information to the study could have been interviewing all the students who answered the questionnaire. Personal interviews could help draw larger information regarding the students’ knowledge and greater insights’ into their thoughts and opinions. Another possible improvement to the study if I could have been distributes the questionnaire in their class. With these it will help to obtain greater information. A greater number of students from different colleges or departments could have made a difference in the results of the study.

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 9 . References Absence from School. (2013). Kent County Council. Retrieved from http://www.kent.gov.uk/ Alfie Kohn (July 2011). Why Are Some People Always Late? Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/ Asmawati Suhid, Ph.D., Abdul Rahman Md. Aroff, Ph.D., Norliana Kamal. (September 2013). Factors causing student absenteeism according to peers. Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia Balfanz, R., & Byrnes, V. (2012). The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation's Public Schools. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 78(2), 4-9 Chang, H. N., & Romero, M. (2008). Present, engaged, and accounted for: The Ciritical importance of addressing chronic absence in early grades. New York, NY: National Center for Children in Poverty. Retrieved from http://www.nccp.org Donna Isabelle Fresnido, (October 9, 2010). The Silent Epidemic. Retrieved from http://usa-publications.journ.ph/ Elaine E. Bedel (2011). Financial Issues Facing College Students. Inside Indiana Business. Retrieved from www.insideindianabusiness.com Romero, M., & Lee, Y. S. (October 2007). A national portrait of chronic absenteeism in the early grades. New York, NY: National Center for Children in Poverty. Retrieved from http://www.nccp.org Shaini Jaura. (2012). To study the reasons of absenteeism of 11th grade student and find out the remedies. Dnyan Ganga Education Trust’s, College of Education

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 10 . Thi Lip Sam. (1994). A qualitative study of truancy and absenteeism: a secondary school in Selangor. Master Thesis. University of Malaya Timothy Keter. (August 2013). Absenteeism in School: Causes of Absenteeism. Eneza Education. Retrieved from http://www.enezaeducation.com

Absenteeism as viewed by the Students of College of Arts and Sciences 11 .
Divine Word College of Legazpi Legazpi City

Name: ____________________________ Course & Year: _____________________________

Age: _________________ Gender: ______________

Answer the ff. questions/situations with Yes or No. Check YES if you have the same reason or NO if not.

Reasons of being absent Very late, better not to attend the class Being lazy The instructor is boring/dull The topic is not interesting Got sick Most of your classmates/friends will not attend the class Attend a very important matter (e.g. Family Events, Meetings, Important Gathering, etc.) It’s Friday (better known as the Friday sickness) Doing projects/tasks in other subjects Feeling not welcome in the class Have a classmate that bullying you Financial Problem Insufficient facilities in school Better to unwind & go to the mall with friends rather than to attend the class Feel sleepy

Yes

No