JUNE 2, 2016

NR # 4219B

Bill calls for monitoring of absences to curb absenteeism

A bill seeking to counter student absenteeism among primary and secondary
students in public and private schools has been referred to the House Committee on Basic
Education.
House Bill 6504 authored by Rep. Evelio Leonardia (Lone District, Bacolod City)
calls for close monitoring of the attendance of the students and analysis of existing
attendance reports to acquire a deeper understanding of chronic absence in students and to
help schools understand the impact of chronic absence.
Leonardia, who won as Bacolod City Mayor in the May 9 elections, said truancy
has been identified as one of the problems affecting the future of the youth. It is one
indicator that a young person is giving up and losing motivation to attend school,
according to Leonardia.
Student absenteeism can lead to low academic achievement, school dropout,
delinquency and gang involvement, Leonardia said.
Leonardia said although there have been efforts and laws made to secure the
attendance of students in school, there is still a need to hasten and improve the system to
ensure that the stay of students would be worth the time and money spent for their
education.
The bill provides several recommendations for educators to counter absenteeism by
promoting health awareness and living a healthy lifestyle to avoid sickness, considered
one of the frequent reasons for absences among students.
The bill also mandates educators to maintain the classroom and school environment
as a fun and enjoyable place to learn.
They should inform parents about the benefits of keeping their children in school
and the importance of encouraging their children to be diligent in their studies.
Among other things, educators should avoid terrorizing or scolding misbehaving
pupils. They should also avoid discrimination or harsh comments, which are beyond the
proper bounds.
On the other hand, educators should provide a stricter system to prevent students
from skipping their classes and develop a program for attendance incentive and monitor
the absences of students as well as the causes of such absences.

The measure calls for inclusion of the teaching of the value education and the
attendance awareness campaign or challenge as a mandatory and integral part of the
curriculum in all schools.
As provided under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within 60 days from its
effectivity.
The proposal further states that the attendance regulations require each board of
education to develop, adopt and implement policies and procedures regarding the
attendance of students, including the adoption of a definition of unexcused absence, and
the provision of mandated services for students between one and nine cumulative
unexcused absences and mandated to call the attention of their parents for those with 10 or
more cumulative unexcused absences. (30) mvip