CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND Introduction Education is the best thing that a parent can give to his or her children aside from love and care that they need. Education is about learning that everything has an explanation to it; it is about longing to find reasons to answer various questions. Education can guide us to enlightenment. It is education that builds in every individual, a confidence to take decisions, to face life and to accept accomplishments and disappointments. Education is very important to the healthy growth and development of a young individual’s personality. It brings experiences on character building, sense of responsibility, knowledge about many things, and it makes one skillful, equipped and prepared to face the challenges that will come his or her way and to make one’s dream come true. It opens doors of brilliant career and opportunities in life. Being in high school is one of the most important endeavors that a child should experience. It may be difficult to adjust to the new changes during the first year because some can be confused and scared but it can also be very exciting to others.

However, the students will soon notice that high school life and learning is fun yet complicated. Generally, being responsible students, they should deal with the problems being faced in high school in a positive manner. Public schools handle about thousands of pupils in a year. One of the hardest problems being faced in public school is dropping out of several students. Therefore, the researchers want to figure out the common reasons of high school dropouts in Emiliano Tria Tirona Memorial National High School. Graduating from high school is not enough, an individual should pursue a college education, either vocational or a four year course for him or her to have a brighter future. On the other hand, for the ones who