INTRODUCTION
In every school organization, one may find somebody deviating from the normal standards of behavior and who somehow possesses a relative problem to the administration. It is then imperative for the teacher diagnose the case, determine its contributing factors and act on it with extra care, patience, kindness and firmness as the key approach to the solution. This is done to facilitate more serious problem that may crop in the future.
In a class, a teacher may notice a student developing traits which have negative effect in himself or his classmates. This is a student with problem that he must attend to if he wants to execute his work effectively and efficiently.
In school, absenteeism has ever been a problem in the educational system. Student with problems who have been misguided are delinquents and later on become problems in the society.
One school problem is truancy. Absenteeism means, either habitual evasion of work, or willful absence as in a strike action. It does not include involuntary or occasional absence due to valid causes, or reason beyond one’s control, such as accidents or sickness. See also attendance management.
Absenteeism in schools should be given priority. School children should embrace their right to free education. They should stay in school during school hours. They have also the chance to avail themselves of this right. In addition to this right of free education, it is their duty to study hard. It is their duty to go to school regularly especially during school days. It is stated that schools are established to be guided toward the fulfillment of their plans in life. The fundamental goal of education is the total development of the child. The educator’s role in the development of the child is to strengthen them to become good citizens or future leaders. “The youth”, according to Dr. Jose Rizal, “is the hope of the motherland”. This implies that the strength of a nation depends upon the quality of its student. Thus, under the P.D. No. 603 known as the “Child and Youth Welfare Code”, the youth is one of the most important assets of the nation. Every effort should be exerted to promote his welfare and enhance his opportunity for a useful and happy life. The student is not a more creature of the state. His individual traits and aptitudes should therefore be cultivated to the outmost.
As stated in Article XIV, Section 3 of the Philippine Constitution: “All educational institution are to inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizenships , strengthen ethnical and spiritual. Values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical thinking, broader scientific and technological knowledge, and promotes vocational efficiency”.
The fulfillment of this goal can be facilitated if students exhibit behavior conducive to better learning and upbringing.
To make education more responsive to rapid changes that are taking place in the country today, all school officials must have to examine critically the strategies and policies with regards to absenteeism in school to meet the situational demands. Some factors of absenteeism are beyond the control of the teachers, while a few can be solued with the cooperation of parents and the community as well. They must be open to innovations and improvements of handling absenteeism problems.