Attendance is an important factor in school success among children and youth. Studies show that better attendance is related to higher academic achievement for students as compared to those who are always absent in their classes. Absenteeism particularly in a chronic and habitual extent is considered as one of the hindrances to successful and effective schooling of the learners that indicates low academic performance and achievements. This Descriptive-Survey study determined primarily the functions to describe the selected students-absentees from grade eleven to grade twelve of Baungon National High School-Danatag Annex. The study was focused on the senior high school participants who were frequently absent from their classes including their perceptions, conditions, experiences and level of competencies and other attributes. Data was treated using descriptive and statistical (frequency count, percentage and weighted mean).Results revealed that majority of the student-absentees were males. Youth labor, financial problems and poverty-related problems of the family were the two leading factors or causes that led to students’ chronic absenteeism. Also, the numbers of absentees were reduced after the implementation of the HRP approach. Thus, the HRP approach was effective in addressing problems on students’ absenteeism. We look at the role of parents, educators, schools, government and institutions policy, develop and implement projects, programs, innovations involving various developmental aspects that appeal to learners’ interest and motivation, and organize a specialized working committee composed of faculty members and parents tasked to assess the level of school and to monitor the cases of absenteeism.

1. THE EXTENT OF ABSENTEEISM AMONG THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS: BASIS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
HRP PROJECT AS INTERVENTIONS
BAUNGON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-DANATAG ANNEX
ACTION RESEARCH
SUSAN I. LABADAN
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
TEACHER II
NOVEMBER 2019

2. ii
Abstract
Attendance is an important factor in school success among children and
youth. Studies show that better attendance is related to higher academic achievement
for students as compared to those who are always absent in their classes. Absenteeism
particularly in a chronic and habitual extent is considered as one of the hindrances to
successful and effective schooling of the learners that indicates low academic
performance and achievements. This Descriptive-Survey study determined primarily
the functions to describe the selected students-absentees from grade eleven to grade
twelve of Baungon National High School-Danatag Annex. The study was focused on
the senior high school participants who were frequently absent from their classes
including their perceptions, conditions, experiences and level of competencies and
other attributes. Data was treated using descriptive and statistical (frequency count,
percentage and weighted mean).Results revealed that majority of the student-
absentees were males. Youth labor, financial problems and poverty-related problems
of the family were the two leading factors or causes that led to students’ chronic
absenteeism. Also, the numbers of absentees were reduced after the implementation
of the HRP approach. Thus, the HRP approach was effective in addressing problems
on students’ absenteeism. We look at the role of parents, educators, schools,
government and institutions policy, develop and implement projects, programs,
innovations involving various developmental aspects that appeal to learners’ interest
and motivation, and organize a specialized working committee composed of faculty
members and parents tasked to assess the level of school and to monitor the cases of
absenteeism.

3. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to thank God Almighty for giving me the
strength, knowledge, ability and opportunity to undertake this research study and to
persevere and complete it satisfactorily. Without his blessings, this achievement
would not have been possible.
I have great pleasure in acknowledging my gratitude to my fellow co-teachers,
Junia Via A. Dadulo and Jedediah B. Markines in ensuring that the fire keeps burning
and being there at times when I required motivation and propelling me on this
research. Their support, encouragement and credible ideas have been great
contributors in the completion of the research. I am grateful to all the faculty, staff
and senior high school students.
It would be inappropriate if I omit to mention the names of my dear friends
Xyprene Gay Khensay and Lovelyn O. Jamco who have tell to keep me going on my
path to success, assisting me as per their abilities, in whatever manner possible and for
ensuring that good times keep flowing.
My acknowledgement would be incomplete without thanking the biggest
source of my strength, my family. The love and care of my husband Engr. Robert A.
Labadan and of course my prime source of happiness, my daughter Kate I. Labadan
and Kaye I. Labadan, to my son Kylle. I. Labadan who never let things get dull or
boring, have all made a tremendous contribution in helping me reach this stage in my
life. I thank them for putting up with me in difficult moments where I felt stumped
and being there for me in every thick and thin.
Susan I. Labadan

4. iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page Number
Title i
Abstract ii
Acknowledgement iii
Table of Contents iv
List of Tables v
List of Appendixes vi
Introduction 1
Review of Related Literature 4
Methodology 8
Results and Discussion 11
Conclusion and Recommendations 15
References 17
Appendixes 18

5. v
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Number
Names Pages
1 Number of Absentees before the HRP
Approach
11
2 Causes of Students’ Chronic Absenteeism 12
3 Number of Absentees after the HRP
Approach
13

6. vi
LIST OF APPENDIXES
Appendix
Number
Names Pages
1 Letter of Request 18
2 Sample Questionnaire 19

7. vii
INTRODUCTION
Significance of the Study
Absenteeism particularly in a chronic and habitual extent is considered as
one of the hindrances to successful and effective schooling of the learners. The word
absenteeism means the absence of student from class when he is scheduled to be
present at school, when teacher has no information in advance that the student will not
report for class, if he has taken leave to which he is entitled or on ground of sickness
or in case of accident. Thus absence may be authorized or unauthorized wilful or
caused by circumstance beyond teacher's control.
Habitual absentees are typically vulnerable to serious and alarming academic
problems like decline in academic performance. This is because typically miss
instructions and educational inputs that they are supposed to acquire each day in the
classroom. Several absences often deprived them the learners with sufficient and
relevant knowledge that they need in order to succeed academically.
There are several factors that often trigger pupils’ chronic absenteeism in
school. There are personal, economic, family-related, school-based and social factors
that influence pupils to commit absences in class. Personal factors may include
pupils’ laziness, negligence and unfavorable attitudes towards studies. Economic
factors are often viewed in terms of poverty-related problems. Family-related factors
may include poor quality of parenthood and conflicts in the family. Meanwhile,
school-based factors may include experiences of bullying acts encountered by the
pupils from their peers, poor learning atmosphere and environment in school and
teacher-related factors. On the other hand, social factors may include the extent of
influences from peers and other fellows to which pupils are exposed to.

8. viii
That is why, in view of these, the researcher is motivated in conducting a
study that delves on the extent of absenteeism among the Senior High School students
of Baungon National High School-Danatag Annex. Identification of the extent of
these students’ absenteeism rate serves as basis for the implementation of the so-
called home visitation, reward approach and parental-teacher conference (HRP
Project). It is in the need to evaluate and analyze the level of effectiveness of these
three practices as interventions to address the problems on the students’ absenteeism
rate.
Background of the study
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, absenteeism is "chronic absence."
In the context of school, it is the habitual or intentional failure to attend school. While
every student may miss some school activities now and then, absence becomes a
problem when the student is away from school for many days.
Going to school regularly is crucially important for a student’s education and
social skills. Chronically absent students are at a disadvantage both socially and
academically. They miss out on critical stages of social interaction and development
with their peers, while simultaneously limiting their academic progress. This can
result in low self-esteem, social isolation, and dissatisfaction that could well have
precipitated non-attendance in the first place.
School absenteeism is an alarming problem for administrators, teachers,
parents, society in general, and pupils in particular. Unaccepted absences have a
negative effect on peer relationships, which can cause further absences. According to
Malcolm, Wilson, Davidson and Kirk (2003) teachers identified the effects of
absenteeism on children as: academic under-achievement, difficulty in making friends
which could lead to boredom and loss of confidence, prolonged absence can have

9. ix
deleterious effects for the child in later life, students who are absent from school are at
the greatest risk of dropping out of school early.
It is the aim of every school to lessen, if not eradicate, absenteeism among its
students. One way of addressing this problem is to identify the causes of truancy.
Once they are singled out, understood, and analyzed, these issues may be addressed
with specific actions and measures. This will eventually result in the better
performance of the students, teachers, and the school in general.
It is in this context that this action research was undertaken, that is, to identify
the causes why the grade 11 and 12 students in this school absent themselves from
their classes.

10. x
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
One of the most annoying experiences for teachers like me is when students
are absent. We prepare lesson plans with the objective that 100% of the class will
learn from the day’s classroom activities, and it is most satisfying when all students
are present on that day and the days thereafter to ensure maximum learning.
Sadly, it is very difficult to achieve perfect attendance. No matter how
interesting and well-prepared my lessons and teaching materials are, there are bound
to be students who miss out on the day’s activities-willingly or unwillingly.
The following are the researcher’s gathered related literature and studies
which showed relevance and connections with the concepts of this present research.
Smith, Marice (2010) in her article “Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy as
Predictors of Undesirable Academic Outcomes of Students” explained that attendance
is an important factor in school success among children and youth. Better attendance
is related to higher academic achievement for students of all backgrounds, but
particularly for children with lower socio-economic status.
Chronic truancy is a strong predictor of undesirable outcomes among students
including academic failure, dropping out of school, substance abuse, gang
involvement and criminal activity, On the other hand, chronic absenteeism is usually
defined as missing ten percent or more of school days.
Relevantly, Bennett, Paul (2010) stressed that student absenteeism is a serious
issue in public education, concerted efforts have been expended aimed at engaging
students and promoting active learning, but schools are still full of clock watchers.
Many students are still involved in habitual skipping of classes, tardiness and worst
chronic absenteeism.

11. xi
De Leon, Ronna (2013) in her work “Factors behind Students’ Absenteeism”
cited that there are various factors that contribute to student’s absenteeism. Family
health or financial concerns are some of the major factors which trigger students’
absenteeism. Other identified factors are poor school climate, drug and alcohol use,
transportation problems and differing community attitudes towards education. These
are all associated with the child’s frequent absences in school.
Armin, Dionisia (2014) in his study “Academic Interventions to Reduce
Students’ Absenteeism and Increase School Attendance” sought to examine the
success of the implementation of a perfect attendance award within an elementary
school to increase student attendance. The findings of this study showed that
attendance certificates are an overall positive motivator for students and help to
increase student attendance at one elementary school. It was also revealed that
recognizing student’s strengths of attending school every day is a powerful tool of
empowerment and reduces absenteeism.
Roberto, Angela (2015) in her research “Exploring the Characteristics of
Chronically Absent Students” sought to identify the different characteristics of
students engaged in chronic absenteeism. This study indicated that students’ chronic
absenteeism can be associated with certain racial/ethnic cultures and tend to occur at
some grade levels more than others. The findings of this study also indicated that
socio-economic status and enrolment in the exceptional education program may be
indicators of chronic absenteeism.
Proposed Innovation, Intervention and Strategy
The focal problem in this study will be the chronic and habitual absenteeism
of the Senior High School students of Baungon National High School-Danatag
Annex. This will serve as the basis for the implementation of the so-called HRP

12. xii
Project. HRP stands for home visitation, reward approach and parent-teacher
conference or dialogues as the proposed innovation, intervention and strategy.
Home visiting programs are designed and implemented to support families in
providing an environment that promotes the healthy growth and development of their
children. Programs may target their services to families and caregivers who are at a
particular disadvantage when it comes to establishing and maintaining such an
environment. They may also focus on families in which the child is more vulnerable
than the typical child because of absenteeism concerns.
Home visitation aims to conduct personal visits in the households of the
students involved in chronic absenteeism. Home visits will help to identify the
possible family-related or domestic problems or factors causing students’ tendency to
be habitually absent in school. On the other hand, the reward approach aims to
motivate and encourage students to be consistently present in class in exchange of a
reward or recognition by the teacher or class adviser. Students with perfect class
attendance will be the primary recipients of these rewards. Finally, the parent-teacher
conference or dialogues will serve to orient, inform and educate the parents about the
need for their children to attain regular and consistent class attendance and about the
possible academic consequences of poor class attendance or chronic absenteeism.
Research Problems/Questions
This study aimed to determine the extent of absenteeism among the Senior
Highschool students of Baungon National Highschool as basis for the implementation
of the HRP Project or home visitation, reward approach and parent-teacher conference
or dialogues as interventions.

13. xiii
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the extent of absenteeism among the Senior Highschool students of
Baungon National Highschool in terms of:
a. number of female student-absentees and
b. number of male student-absentees?
2. What are the causes of students’ chronic absenteeism?
3. How effective is the HRP Project of the home visitation, reward approach
and parent-teacher conference as interventions to address problems on students’
absenteeism?
Definition of Terms
For better understanding of the study, the following variables are operationally and
theoretically defined:
Absenteeism, according to Casio (2003), is “any failure of an employee to
report for or to remain at work as scheduled, regardless of reason”; Strickland (1998)
writes that absenteeism is a period of not attending school. Truancy, according to Bell
et. al (1994), is an “unexcused and unlawful absence from school without parental
knowledge and consent.”Absenteeism ( Meriam-Websters Dictionary) absenteeism is
"chronic absence." In the context of school, it is the habitual or intentional failure to
attend school
HRP – home visitation, reward approach, parent-teacher conferencing.

14. xiv
METHODOLOGY
This study made use of the Descriptive-Survey method. By nature,
Descriptive-Survey method primarily functions to describe the participants of the
study including their perceptions, conditions, experiences and level of competencies
and other attributes. In this study, this method will be applied in the discussion of the
extent of absenteeism among the students as basis for the implementation of the HRP
Project.
Specifically, the Descriptive-Survey method was applied in this study to
discuss and analyse the following major research concepts: the extent of students’
absenteeism, the causes of students’ absenteeism and the effectiveness of the home
visitation, reward approach and parent-teacher conference as interventions to address
problems on students’ absenteeism.
a. Participants/Data Source
The key respondents of this study were the selected Senior High School
students of Baungon National High School-Danatag Annex. Specifically, they are the
selected student-absentees from grades eleven and twelve. They were selected
through purposive sampling method. They were subjected to survey and interviews.
b. Data Gathering Procedure and Instrument
Prior to the conduct of the study, salient ethical considerations need to be met.
These include seeking the approval of the school leaders and authorities for the formal
conduct of the study. The researcher also needs to ask for the consent and
participation of the respondents. Likewise, the researcher assures the respondents
about the confidentiality of the data gathered from them.

15. xv
Upon approval and meeting all these salient ethical considerations, the
researcher will undertake two significant methods to gather data. These are the
administration of survey-questionnaires and conduct of interviews with the
respondents. Both of these methods are necessary in obtaining data about the extent of
students’ absenteeism, the causes of students’ absenteeism and the effectiveness of the
home visitation, reward approach and parent-teacher conference as interventions to
address problems on students’ absenteeism.
All of the grades 11 and 12 who were incurred four or more absences were
asked to complete a questionnaire. They rated various situations, reasons, and causes
for being absent from school. These students had the most daily absences when they
were in grades 10 and 11. This data was gathered from the daily attendance record
that is kept by the teacher adviser every day and regularly filled out by grade level
teachers.
These students entered grades 11 and 12 this School Year 2019-2020 and
some of them were still frequent absentees. It is for this reason that this research was
undertaken. It has the goal of understanding and correcting such undesirable students’
behavior. Based on the findings, methods and strategies were recommended to
minimize, if not eradicate absenteeism or truancy.
All the data was then organized, tallied, tabulated, and presented in a series of
tables. Frequency counts, percentage were used in the analysis and interpretation of
data.
The responses were analyzed using a five-point Likert scale with the following
equivalent:
1- never; 2- rarely; 3- sometimes; 4- very often; 5- Always

16. xvi
Indicators in the questionnaire were as follows: youth labor, domestic chores,
on-line games addiction, social media addiction, financial problems and poverty-
related problems of the family, illness, poor parental motivation and support, teacher
factor, bullying acts in school.
c. Data Analysis
Descriptive-Statistics will be employed in this study for the statistical
treatment of data. For the first problem about the extent of students’ absenteeism, the
data will be treated using frequency count and percentage. For the second problem
about the causes of students’ absenteeism, the researcher will make use of frequency
count and weighted mean for data treatment. Finally, for the third problem about the
effectiveness of the home visitation, reward approach and parent-teacher conference
as interventions to address problems on students’ absenteeism, the researcher will
make use of frequency count and weighted mean for the statistical treatment of data.

17. xvii
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
This part of the study presents the results about the extent of absenteeism
among the Senior High School students of Baungon National High School-Danatag
Annex, the causes of students’ chronic absenteeism and the effectiveness of the HRP
approach as an intervention to address problems on students’ absenteeism.
1. The Extent of Absenteeism among the Senior High School Students of
Baungon National High School-Danatag Annex
The researcher first made a survey on the number of student-absentees prior to
the implementation of the HRP approach.
Table 1
Number of Absentees before the HRP Approach
Absentees Frequency Percentage
Male 21 70
Female 9 30
Total 30 100
Table 1 presents the data on the number of absentees before the
implementation of the HRP approach. It was found that majority or 70 percent of
student-absentees were males.
These findings imply that the extent of students’ chronic absenteeism reflects
the degree of a certain educational drawbacks or hindrances against the students’
positive learning outcomes and progress. Students’ engagement in absenteeism also

18. xviii
indicates the prevalence of diverse factors that may cause students to commit several
absences in school. These factors may range from various socio-economic and
educational aspects triggering learners’ tendencies to be engaged in tardiness,
absenteeism and negligent study habits.
2. The Causes of Students’ Chronic Absenteeism
The study also deemed it necessary to determine the various cause of students’
chronic absenteeism.
Table 2
Causes of Students’ Chronic Absenteeism
Indicators Weighted Mean Interpretation
youth labor 5 Always
domestic chores 4.12 Often
on-line games addiction 4.45 Often
social media addiction 4.30 Often
financial problems and
poverty-related problems of
the family
5 Always
illness 4.10 Often
poor parental motivation and
support
4.57 Often
teacher factor 3.14 Sometimes
bullying acts in school 4.46 Often

19. xix
Table 2 presents the data on the causes of students’ chronic absenteeism. It
was found that youth labor and financial problems and poverty-related problems of
the family were the two leading factors or causes that lead to students’ chronic
absenteeism with the highest mean of 5, interpreted as always.
These results imply that youth labor and financial problems as the leading
causes of absenteeism reflect the veracity that poverty-related problems would cause
drawbacks against the educational progress and endeavor of the learners, if not
properly and effectively addressed. Poverty-stricken conditions in life typically coerce
students to be engaged in occupational undertakings or livelihood endeavor even at
their minor age or even at the expense of their studies.
3. The Effectiveness of the HRP Approach as an Intervention to Address
Problems on Students’ Absenteeism.
Finally, the researcher assessed the level of effectiveness of the intervention in
addressing problems on students’ absenteeism.
Table 3
Number of Absentees before and after the HRP Approach
BEFORE AFTER
Absentees Frequency Percent Frequency Percent Decrease Percent
Male 21 70 13 43.33 8 26.66
Female 9 30 3 10 6 20
Total 30 100 16 53.33 14 46.66

20. xx
Table 3 presents the data on the number of absentees before and after the
implementation of the HRP approach. It was found that the number of males
absentees was reduced from 21 to the present 13 student-absentees while the female
absentees was reduced from 9 to the present 3 after the implementation of the HRP
approach. Hence, the total reduced frequency from 30 to the present 16 student-
absentees after the implementation of the HRP approach. Also, the frequency
decrease were 8 for the males and 6 for the females having a total of 14 number of
frequency decrease. Therefore, it was also revealed that the HRP approach was
effective in addressing problems on students’ absenteeism.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Summary of Findings
The following are the significant findings of the study:
1. Majority or 70 percent of student-absentees were males.
2. Youth labor and financial problems and poverty-related problems of the family
were the two leading factors or causes that lead to students’ chronic absenteeism with
the highest mean of 5, interpreted as always.
3. The number of absentees was reduced from 30 to the present 16 student-absentees
after the implementation of the HRP approach and Also, the frequency decrease were
8 for the males and 6 for the females having a total of 14 number of frequency
decrease.
Conclusion
Based from the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

21. xxi
Thus, most of the student-absentees were males, Youth labor and financial
problems and poverty-related problems of the family were the two leading factors or
causes that lead to students’ chronic absenteeism and the number of absentees was
reduced after the implementation of the HRP approach. Therefore, the HRP approach
was effective in addressing problems on students’ absenteeism.
b. Implications and Recommendations
These results imply that the decreased number of student-absentees and upon
the implementation of HRP approach reflects the extent of the efforts, initiatives and
endeavor of the teachers to improve learners’ academic standing and welfare not only
in terms of daily class attendance but also in terms of over-all performance. It further
implies that teachers as implementers of interventions need to work personally and
directly with the student-absentees including efforts to determine the external causes
or factors triggering learners’ absenteeism.
Recommendations
The following statements serve as the recommendations:
1. The school should organize a specialized working committee composed of
faculty members and parents tasked to assess the level of school attendance of the
students’ especially on males and to monitor their cases of absenteeism.
2. Schools need to develop and implement projects, programs and innovations
involving various developmental aspects that appeal to learners’ interest and
motivation especially on males.
3. Government Agencies like DOLE should have stronger financial support
for programs supporting withdrawal of child laborers from hazardous work and

22. xxii
improved inclusive enforcement of anti-child labor laws at the national and local
levels.
4. Parents should understand the value of the study and they should not
pamper their children for not attending the school.
5. Parents, always guide and motivate their children/ students to come to class
regularly because of the negative effects of absenteeism to both school and their
performance.
6. Advisers and guidance counselor-designate need to identify at-risk students
based on their absenteeism as early as possible and provide intervention to prevent
more absences.
7. Based on the HRP approach having a more positive result it should be
implemented at least three consecutive follow-up home visitations, reward approach
and parent-teacher conference as intervention.

23. xxiii
REFERENCES
Smith, Marice (2010).Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy as Predictors of Undesirable
Academic Outcomes of Students. Retrieved from
https://www.educissues.org/absenteeism-and-education.pdf
Bennett, Paul (2010) .Student Absenteeism and Public Education. Retrieved from
https://www.studentfacts.com/student-absenteeism-and-public-education.net
De Leon, Ronna (2013) .Factors behind Students’ Absenteeism.Retrieved from
https://www.educationalproblems.org/factors-behind-students’-absenteeism.pdf
Armin, Dionisia (2014) .Academic Interventions to Reduce Students’ Absenteeism
and Increase School Attendance.Retrieved from
https://www.scholarworks.studies.org/academic-interventions-to-reduce-students-
absenteeism-and-increase-school-attendance
Roberto, Angela (2015).Exploring the Characteristics of Chronically Absent
Students.Retrieved from https://www.educissues.org/exploring-the-characteristics-of-
chronically--absent-students.pdf

24. xxiv
APPENDIX
A. LETTER OF REQUEST
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region X
Division of Bukidnon
District of Baungon II
THE EXTENT OF ABSENTEEISM AMONG THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS: BASIS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HRP PROJECT
or HOME VISITATION, REWARD APPROACH AND PARENT-TEACHER
CONFERENCE AS INTERVENTIONS
The researcher is currently conducting a study about the extent of absenteeism
among the Senior High School students of Baungon National High School as basis for
the implementation of the HRP Project of home visitation, reward approach and
parent-teacher conference as interventions.
Therefore, the researcher is requesting for your participation and involvement
in this study particularly in answering the survey-questionnaires. Your answers or
responses to the questions will serve as valid sources of data for this study. Your time,
effort and participation in this study will be greatly appreciated. Rest assured that your
responses will be held with great confidentiality.
Thank you very much.
The Researcher

25. xxv
B. SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE
THE CAUSES OF STUDENTS’ CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
Directions: Based on your own observations and experiences, what are the causes or
factors that lead you to commit absences in school? Check the column that
corresponds to your answer. Follow the indicated scale below.
5- Always
4-Often
3-Sometimes
2-Seldom
1-Never
Indicators 5 4 3 2 1
youth labor
domestic chores
on-line games addiction
social media addiction
financial problems and
poverty-related problems
of the family
illness
poor parental motivation
and support
teacher factor
bullying acts in school

26. xxvi