Factors Affecting

Absenteeism Among
Senior High Schools in
San Miguel National High
S c h o o l A c a d e m i c Ye a r
2024-2025
 Background of the Study
Absenteeism has been and continues to be a problem all
throughout the educational system. It has a significant impact on a
student's ability to achieve their educational and career goals. Janelle
Barowski (2021) defines absenteeism as a person's prolonged
absence from a setting where they are expected to be present:
school, work, social activities, etc. Even so, there is a probability that
a student will be absent for 18 days in a row (10% of the total number
of days in a school year), whether excused or not (Allison et al.,
2019). According to Keppens (2023), students who attend less during
teaching discussions during a school year, are disadvantaged at their
learning which then affects their academic performance negatively,
and they are more likely to drop out of school if this behavior
continues.
 From the data gathered, 5% of the total students are
frequently absent out of the 628 students in senior high school. A
students’ absenteeism can greatly affect their future as they continue
to be frequently absent since they are at risk of dropping out of school
aside from having low academic performances.

The researcher argues that students who are at risk of dropping

out are most likely to have less opportunities to have good quality
occupations. It can affect their financial resources and they are
challenged to provide for themselves, and if they have a family of their
own, the cycle repeats as their children would be affected by lack of
finances leading to the child at risk to be absent frequently.
Even if the percentage of absenteeism in senior high is low, it
can greatly affect the students’ lives, and there is a need to
take notice of these students and try to solve the factors of
absenteeism. That’s why this study aimed to identify the
underlying factors of absenteeism of senior high students
which the results of this study can help to identify solutions
that can help not only the senior high students but also the
San Miguel National High School as a whole.
 Preliminary Literature Review

Many students miss school every day. Absences, whether

excused or unexcused, are considered absenteeism as long
as there is a valid reason (e.g. illness, financial problems,
etc.). School absenteeism does not refer to a uniform concept,
but is defined and measured in different ways. Absenteeism
can be defined as excused or unexcused, or more specific
reasons for absenteeism such as exclusion, illness, truancy or
vacation during school hours (Klein et al., 2020
 Abdelrahman and Abdelkader (2017) seek to know what factors affect nursing students'
absenteeism at Minia University and what factors influence absenteeism. The research was carried
out at Minia University's Faculty and Minia University Hospitals. Their participants were
representatives from each level, such as the first, second, third, and fourth levels. According to the
findings of their study, the most common factors influencing absenteeism are related to teaching
factors such as difficult-to-understand lessons or lectures and a lack of employees.

Several researches have been undertaken to determine why senior high school students miss
classes. Family, medical conditions, low financial status, bad school facilities, drug and alcohol
addiction, transportation challenges, and community attitudes of learning are all given as reasons for
student absence (Teasley, 2004). Furthermore, Pehlivan (2006) discovered that students’ top reason
for not attending school is boredom; they detest the school and lectures; they lack encouragement
from classmates or parents; and they have low educational expectations.
 In addition, A. Aroff, Ph.D. et al. (2012) explore students' perspectives on why
their classmates don't want to go to school or why they don't attend particular
classes at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The study's findings revealed that electronic
media, family, school climate, students, friends, and teachers are the variables
that affect pupils' lack of motivation to attend school. However, the study also
revealed that children are influenced by variables outside of school, such as
electronic media and their parents, but they are also influenced by factors within
the school's premises.

According to Bahadori, M. H., et al. (2021), there are several variables that
contribute to student absenteeism in university classes. These factors are
teaching methods, professors' self-confidence, huge and crowded classes,
students' refusal to participate in class discussions, professors' carelessness
towards students' presence or absence, students' disinterest in the subjects,
students' tough commute, and a variety of other factors are among them.
Professors' performance was the most influential absenteeism factor. While
personal and family difficulties have the least impact.
G. Arslan. et al. (2016) investigated the connection
between previous and present absenteeism and academic
attainment. According to the data, students are more likely
to be absent from school due to bad academic self-
perception, negative attitudes toward teachers and school,
a lack of goals, and a lack of desire.
Furthermore, students whose parents have a poor
educational level and a low income are more likely to be
absent from school.
From the study of Conel (2022), his research sought to understand
high school student absenteeism in the Philippines. The study's
findings found that illness, family-related concerns, a lack of interest
in school, poverty, and transportation issues were the most common
reasons for absenteeism among high school students in the
Philippines. The study also discovered that students who had to work
to support their families frequently missed school to meet their
domestic responsibilities. The study proposes a holistic approach to
eliminating high school absenteeism, which includes providing
students with support services, establishing student-centered
courses, and tackling poverty and employment prospects. The
findings of the study can help policymakers and educators design
effective strategies to reduce absenteeism and improve academic
achievements for high school students in the Philippines.
 Theoretical Framework
This research was based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
According to this theory, persons have five types of needs:
physiological, safety, belongingness and love, esteem, and self-
actualization (Mcleod, 2023). According to this concept, the level of
human requirements varies from person to person, which is why his
proposed hierarchical level of demands is "not nearly as rigid."
Physiological needs include things like food, drink, warmth, and rest.
Furthermore, safety needs refer to security and protection from
damage. Belongingness and love refer to intimate relationships with
others, such as family and friends, as well as belonging to others.
Esteem requires a sense of accomplishment for an individual as well
as reinforcement from others. Finally, self-actualization needs are tied
to an individual's potential and growth.
 As a result, anytime a student's needs are met and satisfied, they
are encouraged to attend school, which then affects their
academic performance (Lussier & Achua, 2001). Then, if a
student's basic needs are not met, it might have a negative impact
on their behavior, leading to absence.
This research was also based on Bandura's social cognitive
theory. This theory, sometimes termed social learning theory,
claims that humans learn by seeing and copying others. The way
we act is impacted by what we do, our surroundings, and our
personal attributes (Nickerson, 2023). This hypothesis illustrates
how students may be impacted by their surroundings, peers, and
behavior. For instance, if a student sees their friend skip class and
succeed, they may be more tempted to skip class, expecting
similar favorable effects.
 Statement of the Problem
This research aimed to identify the factors that affects the
absenteeism among the senior high school students of San Miguel
National High School for the Academic Year 2024-2025.

This research aimed to answer the following questions in order

to obtain all necessary information, knowledge, and data:

1. What are the factors that affects absenteeism among Senior

High School students of San Miguel National High School during
the Academic year 2024-2025?
2.How do students deal with the reasons of being absent for
frequent days?
 Abridged Methodology
The participants of this study were fifteen (15) selected
Senior High School students of San Miguel National
High School. The participants of the study are in Grade
11 and Grade 12 students, both in academic track
HUMMS and STEM in public secondary school in San
Miguel National High School. They were selected
based on the number of absences, using the purposive
sampling.
 The instrument used in gathering necessary information
was in-depth interview because, this instrument enables
exploration of various factors that contribute to absenteeism,
such as personal and social circumstances, attitudes towards
education, and reasons for missing school. The interview guide
included four open-ended questions designed to encourage
students to share their experiences with absenteeism. By
conducting in-depth interviews, the study aimed to gain a deeper
understanding of the unique experiences and reasons for
absenteeism among frequently absent students. Such insights
can inform the development of effective strategies to address
absenteeism and improve educational outcomes.
 The researchers inquired with the Grade 11 and 12
advisors of both the HUMSS and STEM strands on who among
their students is frequently absent. Following that, the
researchers spoke with the identified students to inquire about
their willingness to participate in the study. This happened
during face-to-face classes, and students who have decided to
participate in the interview were asked to sign a consent form.
Once they have signed the consent form, the researchers begun
the interview on the specific schedule given by the participant.
The interviewees shared their experiences with absenteeism
and how they cope with its effects. During the course of the
interview, the researchers gave importance to the confidentiality
of the participants answers, and the participants desire to
remain anonymous was also discussed.
Presented By:
Aguirre Alexander
Mahinay, Jhonnel
Lagarde, Kristelle
Guasil, Ashley
Ragub, Cristine Vian
Semeniano, Juliana
THANKS