Employment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and its

Implications on the Academic Performance of their Children

Arlan, Nemesia Karen E.

Shrestha, Joeti L.

Wingo, Yasmina G.

________________________________________________________________________
A requirement in partial fulfillment for the degree of Masters in International Relations
under Claro M. Recto Academy of Advanced Studies dated August 10, 2008 at the
Graduate Room 1, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Intramuros, Manila.

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1382133

Introduction

A traditional family composes of a father, mother, and the children. Some

families comprises of a single parent and a child. Other family includes the

immediate members and some extended members who comprise the

grandparents and/or other relatives. However, in the absence of either or both of

the parents due to overseas employment, the grandparents or the closest relative

of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) take charge of the children left behind,

thus, the studies of these children might not be properly monitored.

As early as 1900’s, Filipinos started to migrate to other countries in search

of employment opportunities. The phenomenon of Overseas Filipino Workers

(OFWs) emerged. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), as defined in Section 3 of

the Migrant Workers Act (R.A. No. 8042), refers to a person who is to be

engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of

which he or she is not a legal resident.

Today, OFWs are in about 190 countries. They are employed in various

types of land-based and sea-based jobs. The outflow of Filipino workers is linked

to the country’s high levels of unemployment and underemployment, which stood

at 8.0% and 19.8% respectively, as of April 2008, and high incidence of poverty.

Presently, there are about 8.2 million overseas Filipinos, which comprise

10% of the total population. About 3, 000 workers are deployed overseas daily.

In 2007, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recorded a

deployment of 1, 073, 402 OFWs, a 1% increase from the 2006 level.

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1382133

 A significant trend in the migration of OFWs is the feminization of

migration. Statistics shows that 60% of new hires who leave annually are

women. Majority of them are in the service jobs, followed by professionals and

skilled workers.

The growing number of OFWs seeking job overseas is quite alarming. It

will not only create brain drain but it might have an impact on the children who

are left behind particularly in their education and relationship towards their OFW

parent/s and peers.

In a recent news report published by GMA-TV, over their internet news

portal, it was reported that the International Organization for Migration has

observed that many children of OFW parents are loosing enthusiasm to finish

their studies, and have preferred to follow in the footsteps of their parents. These

children would right away leave the country if given opportunities to go abroad,

said Ricardo Casco, IOM-Philippines’ national program officer for labor migration

support. Casco was interviewed by Ma. Fe Nicodemus of Kakammpi, an

organization of migrant workers and their families. “Because they are not

graduates of any course in the Philippines, they are forced to take up whatever

jobs abroad they can set their hands on... however menial," he said. He

suggested that government encourage overseas Filipinos to put up projects for

the education of migrants' children. Millions of talented Filipinos in their most

productive years leave the country and the insights they gain from various fields

of work abroad are vastly untapped for the development of local communities.

According to Casco, lack of concern for home community and the absence of a
government strategy linking up migration and development can bog down the

country’s progress.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an attached

agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is the lead

government agency tasked to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents. It has mandated to

deliver the welfare services and benefits, and ensure capital build-up and fund

viability.

Specifically, OWWA is directed to do the following: (a.) to protect the

interest and promote the welfare of OFWs in recognition of their valuable

contribution to the overall development effort; (b.) to facilitate the implementation

of the provisions of the Labor Code concerning the responsibility of the

government to promote the well-being of OFWs; (c.) to provide social and welfare

services to OFWs, including insurance, social work assistance, legal assistance,

cultural services, and remittance services; (d.) to ensure the efficiency of

collection and the viability and sustainability of the fund through sound and

judicious investment and fund management policies; (e.) to undertake studies

and researches for the enhancement of their social, economic and cultural well-

being; and (f.) to develop, support and finance specific projects for the welfare of

OFWs.
Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are as follows:

1. To identify the concerns faced by OFW children;

2. To determine the causes that affect the academic performance of

OFW children studying in universities within Intramuros; and

3. To find out the respondents’ relationship towards their parents working

abroad.

Basic Assumptions

The researchers assume the following:

1. Migration of parents affects the academic performance of their

children;

2. There is a gap in the relationship between the OFW parents and their

children; and

3. There is an effect in the academic performance of OFW children in

terms of their parent’s economic, employment, social, and marital

status.
Related Literature and Studies

Local Literature

According to Hearts Apart Focus Group Discussion Research, the

departure of one or two parents leaves an emotional mark on the young children

left behind. The children long for the presence of the migrant parent(s), especially

when mothers are away. But the author suggests that the children are attended

to by the family- mostly the mothers when it is the fathers who migrate, other

female relatives and extended family when both parents are out. Despite the

emotional displacement, the children of migrants are not disadvantaged vis-à-vis

the children of non- migrants in many dimensions of well- being. Thus, when the

family is stable, it can withstand the separation imposed by migration.

In terms of socio- economic variables, the children of migrants are

markedly better off compared to the children of non- migrants. Aside from

objective indicators of Socio-Economic Status (SES), such as home ownership

and ownership of durable goods, the children of migrants also perceive their

families as doing well as far as economic status is concerned. This economic

advantage appears to provide the children of migrants with other advantages.

More OFW children are enrolled in private schools. OFW children are more likely

to participate in extracurricular activities, such as camping, field trip, school

programs and so forth. Their exposure to these programs not only broadens their

learning, which may have contributed to their overall academic performance.

 However, the children of migrant mothers tend to lag somewhat behind

compared to the other children. It is also possible that the better economic status

of migrant families has contributed to the better health and academic outcomes

observed among OFW children.

The Gap between Migrant Parents and Their Children

The family is regarded as the basic social unit in Philippine society.

Traditional views dictate that it must be composed of a mother, father and

children. The present reality of migration has altered this definition in certain

ways. Indeed, while the family is still intact in its composition, the physical

absence of one member, e.g., a parent, has given rise to social problems not felt

in previous times.

In addition to this, growing up in a transitional family presents a wide

range of challenges for a child. For one, the distance in time and space between

migrant parents and their children threatens to weaken intergenerational

relations. Children frequently voiced their feeling of a gap, or in other words a

sense of social discomfort and emotional distance, toward their parents. This

alienation stems from unfamiliarity in these families. The children prefer to

minimize the time they spend with their parents-that is, they wish to reduce their

ties to monthly remittances and would rather parents prolong their stay outside

the country.
 Furthermore, the disruption of family life and the loss of parental attention

and discipline resulting from the absence of a parent may hinder children

performance in school.

A number of studies have shown that limited earnings from labor migrants

positively affect various household outcome, including children’s schooling and

also that remittance help reduce obligatory child labor. In contrast, the author

suggests that other studies find no apparent impact of migration and remittance

on schooling. In addition the study suggests that parental absence due to work

has a deleterious effect on children’s school performance.

Foreign Literature

In a study conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

entitled Children and Migration in Ecuador: Situation Diagnostic by Gloria

Camacho Z. and Kattya Hernandez, when the father has migrated, the family is

not quite affected since, from a cultural point of view, the mother has always

been responsibility of the household. This situation gets worse when the father

stops sending the remittances or they are not enough to cover the basic needs of

the family. On the contrary, when the mother has migrated, the family is strongly

affected and its vulnerability levels depend on whether the father directly takes

over the care of their children or he has the support from other women in his

family. These impacts will be increased if the couple is breaking up prior to or

together with the migration. If both the father and the mother have migrated, the

original family structure (in the case of immediate families) is significantly altered
as it implies a restructuring with the elder brother/sister as its head of household,

or the attachment of the children to other families, preferably to their maternal

grandparent’s. The success of these families depends on the creation of strong

affective and communication links between those who leave and those who stay.

Added to it are the regular remittances to support and keep the family together.

In summary, migration indeed reorganizes the families, but it is not the only

cause for their disintegration. It is material to have this aspect in mind in order to

avoid and/or reproduce stigmatizing discourses on migration, the migrants’

families, and the children and adolescents of the migrants.

Methodology

Subject and Respondents

The respondents of this study were the undergraduate students of the

Lyceum of the Philippines University pursuing various degrees. Thirty (30)

participated in the survey which was categorized into four groups according to

their age ranging from 18 to 21 years old.

The researchers used the Random Sampling Technique in the selection of

respondents.

Research Instrument

Primary and secondary instruments were utilized to aid the researchers in

gathering data/information. A questionnaire was constructed that details the

implication of employment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the academic

performance of their children pursuing undergraduate courses among

universities within Intramuros, Manila. Webster Dictionary defines questionnaire

as set of questions for obtaining statistically useful or personal information from

an individual. This instrument has 5 parts: a demographic profile of the

respondents containing age, gender, monthly allowance, and course/year.

Second, status of parents such as parent’s employment status, marital status,

place of employment, nature of work and annual income. Third, social status

such as possession of car and TV. Fourth, the relationship of parents with their
children. Fifth, the academic performance of the respondents such as rating of

academic performance and expected time of graduation.

The questionnaire was presented in a question- answer format with

suitable answers so that the respondents can easily indicate their response by

placing a checkmark on the space corresponding to the answer.

Books and electronic data/information were also sourced out in this

research.

Actual Fieldwork

The fieldwork was conducted on 30 July 2008. Seventy (70%) percent of

the survey was conducted outside the classroom, and 30 percent was conducted

in the classroom. The researchers were assisted by friends to seek out students

whose parents are OFW employees. The researchers did not have any difficulty

during the survey as the questionnaire was simple and easy to understand.
Presentation of Data

This section presents data on the three out of five specific problems of the

implications of employment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the

academic performance of their children.

I. Demographic Profile of the Respondents

TABLE 1: PERSONAL INFORMATION

MALE FEMALE TOTAL

B=30
f % f % f %
18 2 6.67 1 3.33 3 10.00
19 5 16.67 8 26.67 13 43.33
20 5 16.67 4 13.33 9 30.00
21 2 6.67 3 10.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 14 46.67 16 53.33 30 100.00

 As shown in the above table, 16 (53.33%) respondents are female, and 14

(46.67%) are female.

TABLE 1.1

COURSE/YEAR

COURSE

B=30 CAS CBA CCS CIHM CIR COE CON TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 1 3.33 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0 0 0 1 3.33 0 0.00 4 13.33

19 2 6.67 1 3.33 0 0 5 16.67 4 13.33 2 6.67 0 0.00 14 46.67

20 0 0 3 10.00 0 0 3 10 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 7 23.33

21 0 0 2 6.67 0 0 3 10 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 3 10.00 7 23.33 1 3.33 11 36.67 5 16.67 3 10.00 0 0.00 30 100.00

 Table 1.1 shows the course of every respondents in this study. it is noted

that 11 (16.67%) of them are from the College of International and Hospitality

Management, 7 (23.33%) are from the College of Business Administration, 3

(10%) are from the College of Arts and Sciences, and 1 (3.33%) are from the

College of Computer Science. No data is shown in the College of Nursing.

TABLE 1.2

MONTHLY ALLOWANCE

MONTHLY ALLOWANCE

B=30 Php 5, 001- Php 10, 001- Php 15, 001-

>Php 5, 000.00 <Php 20, 000 TOTAL
10, 000 15, 000 20, 000
f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 2 6.67 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 10.00

19 4 13.33 8 26.67 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0.00 14 46.67
20 3 10.00 4 13.33 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 8 26.67
21 0 0.00 4 13.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 3.33 5 16.67

TOTAL 9 30.00 17 56.67 2 6.67 1 3.33 1 3.33 30 100.00

 Table 1.2 shows the monthly allowance of the respondents. In the table,

17 (56.67%) of the respondents monthly allowances are averaging from Php

5,001-10,000, 9 (30%) says they have a monthly allowance of less than Php

5,000, 2 (6.67%) says they receive a montly allowance between Php 15,001-

20,000, and 1 (3.33%) says it has less than Php 20,000 for monthly allowance

and 1 (3.33%) says it receives more than Php 50,000 a month for allowance.

TABLE 1.3

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OF PARENTS

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OF PARENT/S

B=30 Asia Middle East Europe Americas TOTAL
f % f % f % f % f %
18 2 6.67 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 10.00
19 2 6.67 2 6.67 6 20.00 2 6.67 12 40.00
20 2 6.67 1 3.33 3 10.00 3 10.00 9 30.00
21 1 3.33 2 6.67 1 3.33 2 6.67 6 20.00

TOTAL 7 23.33 6 20.00 10 33.33 7 23.33 30 100.00

 Table 1.3 illustrates that, 10 (33.33%) respondents answered that their

parent/s are working in the countries within Europe; 7 (23.33%) responded in

Asia; 7 (23.33%) answered in Americas; and 6 (20%) responded in the Middle

East.

TABLE 1.4

OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT OF PARENT/S

DURATION OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT OF PARENT/S

B=30 >1 year 1-5 Years 6-10 Years <10 Years N/A TOTAL
f % f % f % f % f % f %
18 0 0.00 3 10.00 1 3.33 0 0.00 1 3.33 5 16.67
19 0 0.00 6 20.00 3 10.00 2 6.67 1 3.33 12 40.00
20 0 0.00 5 16.67 1 3.33 1 3.33 1 3.33 8 26.67
21 2 6.67 1 3.33 1 3.33 1 3.33 1 3.33 5 16.67

TOTAL 2 6.67 15 50.00 6 20.00 4 13.33 4 13.33 30 100.00

 Table 1.4 shows the duration of overseas employment abroad. It is noted

that 15 (50%) of the respondents says that their parents are abroad for 1-5

years, 6 (20%) of their parents are abroad for 6-10 years, 4 (13.33%) of the

respondents says the duration of employment is over ten years and did not

respond to the question respectively.

TABLE 1.5

MARITAL STATUS OF PARENTS

MARITAL STATUS OF PARENTS

B=30 Married Separated Widow/Widower Others (Pls. specify) TOTAL
f % f % f % f % f %
18 1 3.33 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0 3 10
19 7 23.33 3 10.00 3 10.00 1 3.33 14 46.67
20 3 10.00 2 6.67 2 6.67 0 0 7 23.3333
Table 1.5 shows the marital status of parents. 15 (50%) of the respondents says their parents are married
while21
1 (3.33%) says4others. 7 13.33 1 parents 3.33
(23.33%) says their 1 widow/widower
are separated and 3.33 respectively.
0 0 6 20

TOTAL 15 50.00 7 23.33 7 23.33 1 3.33 30 100.00

 Table 1.5 shows the marital status of parents. 15 (50%) of the

respondents says their parents are married while 1 (3.33%) says others. 7

(23.33%) says their parents are separated and widow/widower respectively.

TABLE 2

EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF PARENT/S

OFW PARENT/S
B=30 Mother Father Both TOTAL
f % f % f % f %

18 2 6.67 1 3.33 0 0 3 10
19 4 13.33 8 26.67 1 3.33 13 43.33

20 6 20.00 2 6.67 1 3.33 9 30.00

21 3 10.00 1 3.33 1 3.33 5 16.67

TOTAL 15 50.00 12 40.00 3 10.00 30 100.00

 Table 2 shows the employment status of parents of the respondents. 15

(50%) says their mothers are OFW where as 12 (40%) says their fathers are

OFW. While 3 (10%) says their parents are both OFW.

TABLE 2.1

NATURE OF WORK

NATURE OF WORK
Mother
B=30
Domestic Self-
House wife Nurse Caregiver Others (Pls. specify) N/A TOTAL
Helper Employed
f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f %
Machine
18 1 3.3333 0 0.00 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 3.33 0 0.00 3 10.00
Analyst
Casino
19 6 20.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 1 3.33 2 6.67 1 3.33 1 3.33 13 43.33
Manager
20 1 3.3333 0 0.00 4 13.33 2 6.67 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 9 30.00
Business
21
Table 2.1 1 3.3333
shows 1 work 3.33
the nature of of mother.0 In the
0.00 2 of6.67
tabe, 9 (30%) 0 0.00
the respondents mothers are housewife, 7 1(23.33)3.33 0 0.00 5 16.67
Owner says domestic
says their mothers are nurses, 5 (16.67%) says caregiver, 2 (6.67%) says self-employed and 1 (3.33%)
helper. 3 (10%) says their mothers are machine analysis, casino manager, and business owners. 3 (10%) of the total
respondents did have any answers.

TOTAL 9 30.00 1 3.33 7 23.33 5 16.67 2 6.67 3 10.00 3 10.00 30 100.00

 Table 2.1 shows the nature of work of mother. In the table, 9 (30%) of the

respondents mothers are housewife, 7 (23.33) says their mothers are nurses, 5

(16.67%) says caregiver, 2 (6.67%) says self-employed and 1 (3.33%) says

domestic helper. 3 (10%) says their mothers are machine analysis, casino

manager, and business owners. 3 (10%) of the total respondents did have any

answers.
 Table 2.2

Nature of Work

NATURE OF WORK
Father
B=30
House
Driver Engineer Seaman Nurse Others (Pls. specify) N/A TOTAL
husband
f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f %
System
18 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0 1 3.33 2 6.67 3 10.00
Analyst
Casino
Manager/
19 0 0 0 0 3 10.00 4 13.33 0 0 2 6.67 4 13.33 13 43.33
office work/
doctor
20 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 1 3.33 0 0 Chef 1 3.33 6 20.00 8 26.67

Business
21 0 0 0 0 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0 2 6.67 2 6.67 6 20.00
Owner

TOTAL 0 0 0 0 4 13.33 6 20.00 0 0.00 6 20.00 14 46.67 30 100.00

Table 2.2 shows the nature of work of the father. The tables presents that

6 (20%) of the respondents fathers are seaman while 4 (13.33%) are engineer. It

also shows that 6 (20%) of the respondents are system analyst, casino manager,
office worker, doctor, chef, and business owner. 14 (46.67%) on the otherhand

did not respond to the question.

II. Status of Parent/s

TABLE 3

ANNUAL INCOME OF FATHER

<Php 351, <Php 551,

<Php 301, 000 <Php 401, 000 <Php 451, 000 <Php 501, 000
B=30 >Php 300, 000 but not 000 but not 000 but not
but not but not but not <Php 601, 000 N/A TOTAL
>Php 400, >Php 600,
>Php 350, 000 >Php 450, 000 >Php 500, 000 >Php 550, 000
000 000

f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 1 3.33 2 6.67 0 0 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 3.33 4 13.33

19 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0 2 6.67 6 20.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 3.33 3 10.00 12 40.00

20 0 0.00 1 3.33 0 0 0 0.00 5 16.67 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0.00 1 3.33 9 30.00

21 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 1 3.33 3 10.00 0 0.00 1 3.33 0 0.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 1 3.33 3 10.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 12 40.00 4 13.33 1 3.33 2 6.67 5 16.67 5 100.00
 The table above shows that 12 (40%) of the respondents answered the

annual income of their fathers is more than Php451, 000.00 but not less than

Php500, 000.00; 4 (13.33%) responded more than Php501, 000 but not less

than Php550, 000.00; 3 (10%) responded more than Php301, 000.00 but not

less than Php350, 000.00; 6.67% answered more thanPhp401, 000.00 but not

less than Php450, 000.00; 6.67% responded more than Php601, 000.00; 1

(3.33%) answered more than Php551, 000.00 but not less than Php600, 000.00;

and 5 (16.67%) have no answer.

TABLE 3.1

ANNUAL INCOME OF MOTHER

B=30 <Php 351, <Php 551,

<Php 301, 000 <Php 401, 000 <Php 451, 000 <Php 501, 000
000 but not 000 but not
>Php 300, 000 but not >Php but not >Php but not >Php but not >Php <Php 601, 000 N/A TOTAL
>Php 400, >Php 600,
350, 000 450, 000 500, 000 550, 000
000 000

f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 0 0.00 2 6.67 0 0 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 1 3.33 3 10.00

19 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0 2 6.67 5 16.67 1 3.33 0 0 0 0.00 2 6.67 10 33.33

20 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0 1 3.33 3 10.00 1 3.33 0 0 0 0.00 2 6.67 9 30.00

21 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0 1 3.33 2 6.67 2 6.67 0 0 1 3.33 1 3.33 8 26.67

TOTAL 2 6.67 3 10.00 0 0.00 4 13.33 10 33.33 4 13.33 0 0.00 1 3.33 6 20.00 30 100.00
 The table above shows that 33.33% of the respondents answered that the

annual income of their mothers is more than Php451, 000.00 but not less than

Php500, 000.00; 13.33% responded more than Php401, 000 but not less than

Php450, 000.00; 13.33% responded more than Php501, 000.00 but not less than

Php550, 000.00; 10% answered more thanPhp301, 000.00 but not less than

Php350, 000.00; 6.67% responded less than Php300, 000.00; 3.33% answered

more than Php601, 000.00; and 20% have no answer.

III. Social Status

 TABLE 4

POSSESSION OF CAR

CAR
TOTAL
B=30 Yes No
No. of Car
Owned
f % f % f %

18 0 0.00 0 3 10.00 3 10.00

19 11 36.67 18 2 6.67 13 43.33

20 4 13.33 5 5 16.67 9 30.00

21 4 13.33 8 1 3.33 5 16.67

TOTAL 19 63.33 31 11 36.67 30 100.00

Table 4 shows that 19 (63.33%) respondents owned a car, and only 11 or

36.67% answered no.

TABLE 4.1

POSSESSION OF TELEVISION
 TELEVISION
TOTAL
B=30 Yes No
No. of TV
Owned
f % f % f %

18 3 10.00 6 0 0 3 10.00

19 13 43.33 45 0 0 13 43.33

20 9 30.00 21 0 0 9 30.00

21 5 16.67 15 0 0 5 16.67

TOTAL 30 100.00 87 0 0.00 30 100.00

As shown in the table above, of the 30 (100%) respondents, all of them

owned a television set.

 TABLE 5

FREQUENCY OF VISITS OF OFW PARENT/S

FREQUENCY OF VISITS

B=30 Once in every 2

Every 6 months Once a year Others (Pls. specify) TOTAL
years

f % f % f % f % f %
18 0 0.00 3 10.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 10.00
19 1 3.33 7 23.33 3 10.00 9 months 2 6.67 13 43.33
20 1 3.33 4 13.33 3 10.00 5 years 1 3.33 9 30.00
21 1 3.33 1 3.33 3 10.00 0 0.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 3 10.00 15 50.00 9 30.00 3 10.00 30 100.00

The table above shows that 15 (50%) of the 30 respondents have their

parent/s come home once a year, 9 (30%) responded once in every 2 years, 3
(10%) responded every 6 months, and 3 (10%) specified the no. of months/years

their parent/s visited them (9 months and 5 years).

IV. RELATIONSHIP WITH PARENT/S BEFORE AND AFTER THEIR

DEPLOYMENT

TABLE 6

RELATIONSHIP WITH MOTHER BEFORE SHE LEFT

RATING

B=30 Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Good Very good Excellent N/A TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0.00 1 3.33 3 10.00

19 0 0.00 1 3.33 2 6.67 0 0.00 3 10.00 7 23.33 13 43.33

20 0 0.00 1 3.33 4 13.33 1 3.33 2 6.67 1 3.33 9 30.00

21 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0.00 1 3.33 1 3.33 1 3.33 5 16.67

TOTAL 1 3.33 3 10.00 7 23.33 3 10.00 6 20.00 10 33.33 30 100.00

 In this table, 7, out of the 30 respondents or 23.33% said that they have a

good relationship with their mothers before working abroad, 6 or 20% answered

excellent, 3 or 10% responded satisfactory and very good, 1 or 3.33% answered

unsatisfactory, and 10 or 33.33% have no response.

TABLE 6.1

RELATIONSHIP WITH MOTHER AFTER SHE LEFT

RATING

B=30 Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Good Very good Excellent N/A TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 0 0 0 0.00 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0.00 1 3.33 3 10.00

19 0 0 1 3.33 1 3.33 2 6.67 2 6.67 7 23.33 13 43.33

20 0 0 0 0.00 3 10.00 2 6.67 3 10.00 1 3.33 9 30.00

21 0 0 1 3.33 0 0.00 3 10.00 0 0.00 1 3.33 5 16.67

TOTAL 0 0.00 2 6.67 5 16.67 8 26.67 5 16.67 10 33.33 30 100.00

 The table above shows that 26.67% of the repondents have a very good

relationship with their mothers after deployment, 16.67% responded good and

excellent, 6.67% answere satisfactory, nobody has an unsatisfactory relationship

with their mothers, and 33.33% have no response.

TABLE 6.2

RELATIONSHIP WITH FATHER BEFORE HE LEFT

RATING

B=30 Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Good Very good Excellent N/A TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 0 0 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 3 10.00

19 0 0 2 6.67 2 6.67 2 6.67 3 10.00 4 13.33 13 43.33

20 0 0 1 3.33 0 0.00 2 6.67 0 0.00 6 20.00 9 30.00

21 0 0 1 3.33 0 0.00 1 3.33 1 3.33 2 6.67 5 16.67

TOTAL 0 0.00 5 16.67 2 6.67 5 16.67 4 13.33 14 46.67 30 100.00

 In this table, 5, out of the 30 respondents or 16.67% said that they have a

very good and satisfactory relationship with their fathers before working abroad,

4 or 13.33% answered excellent, 2 or 6.67% responded good, nobody answered

unsatisfactory, and 14 or 46.67% have no response.

TABLE 6.3

RELATIONSHIP WITH FATHER AFTER HE LEFT

RATING

B=30 Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Good Very good Excellent N/A TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 0 0.00 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 3 10.00

19 0 0.00 1 3.33 2 6.67 3 10.00 3 10.00 4 13.33 13 43.33

20 0 0.00 2 6.67 0 0.00 1 3.33 0 0.00 6 20.00 9 30.00

21 1 3.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 0 0.00 2 6.67 5 16.67

TOTAL 1 3.33 4 13.33 2 6.67 6 20.00 3 10.00 14 46.67 30 100.00

 The table above shows that 20% of the repondents have a very good

relationship with their fathers after deployment, 13.33% responded satisfactory,

10% answered excellent, 6.67% responded good, 3.33% answered

unsatisfactory, and 46.67% have no response.

V. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

TABLE 7

FREQUENCY OF ABSENCES IN SCHOOL

ABSENCES INCURRED

B=30 Yes No Others (Pls. specify) TOTAL

f % f % f % f %

18 3 10.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 10.00

19 10 33.33 2 6.67 3 subjects 1 3.33 13 43.33

20 8 26.67 0 0.00 1 subject 1 3.33 9 30.00

21 4 13.33 0 0.00 2 subjects 1 3.33 5 16.67

TOTAL 25 83.33 2 6.67 3 10.00 30 100.00

 The table above shows that 25 of the respondents (83.33%) declared to

have committed absences in school, 2 (6.67%) are always present in class, and

3 (10%) have incurred absences to only 1-3 subjects.

TABLE 8

RATINGS IN EXAMS

RATING

B=30 Below Average Average Above Average Excellent TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f %

18 1 3.33 2 6.67 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 10.00

19 0 0.00 8 26.67 4 13.33 1 3.33 13 43.33

20 0 0.00 8 26.67 1 3.33 0 0.00 9 30.00

21 0 0.00 4 13.33 1 3.33 0 0.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 1 3.33 22 73.33 6 20.00 1 3.33 30 100.00

 Table 8 demonstrates that in terms of exams rating, 73.33% of the

respondents are average; 6 of them or 20% are said to be above average; and

3.33% consider themselves as below average and excellent.

TABLE 9

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF A CHILD BEFORE

THE DEPLOYMENT OF PARENT/S

RATING

B=30 Unsatisfatory Satisfactory Good Very good Excellent TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 0 0 3 10.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 10.00

19 0 0 5 16.67 1 3.33 5 16.67 2 6.67 13 43.33

20 0 0 5 16.67 3 10.00 1 3.33 0 0.00 9 30.00

21 0 0 3 10.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 0 0.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 0 0.00 16 53.33 4 13.33 8 26.67 2 6.67 30 100.00

Table 9 depicts that the academic performance of 53.33% of the

respondents before their parent/s have been deployed were satisfactory; 26.67%

believed that their performance in school is very good; 13.33% were good; 6.67%

respondents answered excellent; and nobody or 0% responded unsatisfactory

rating in school.

TABLE 9.1

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF A CHILD

AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT OF PARENT/S

RATING

B=30 Unsatisfatory Satisfactory Good Very good Excellent TOTAL

f % f % f % f % f % f %

18 0 0 3 10.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 10.00

19 0 0 4 13.33 5 16.67 4 13.33 0 0.00 13 43.33

20 0 0 6 20.00 2 6.67 0 0.00 1 3.33 9 30.00

21 0 0 3 10.00 0 0.00 2 6.67 0 0.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 0 0.00 16 53.33 7 23.33 6 20.00 1 3.33 30 100.00

 As shown in Table 9.1, the respondents gave a satisfactory rating (53.33%)

on their academic performance after their parent/s have been deployed; 23.33%

of the respondents rate their performance as good; very good rating is believed to

have achieved by 20% of the respondents; 3.33% were excellent; and nobody

rate themselves as unsatisfactory.

TABLE 10

PRESENT CLASS STANDING

EXPECTED TIME OF GRADUATION

B=30 On Time Extend N/A TOTAL

f % f % f % f %

18 1 3.33 1 3.33 1 3.33 3 10.00

19 9 30.00 4 13.33 0 0.00 13 43.33

20 7 23.33 2 6.67 0 0.00 9 30.00

21 3 10.00 2 6.67 0 0.00 5 16.67

TOTAL 20 66.67 9 30.00 1 3.33 30 100.00

 In terms of the expected time of graduation, Table 10 illustrates that most of

the respondents, about 66.67%, believed that they will graduate on time while

30% said that they will not graduate on time. One respondent or 3.33% did not

answer the question.

Conclusion

The researchers derived their conclusions from the findings of the study to

wit:

1. Migration of parent/s does not affect the academic performance of their

children;

2. A gap in the relationship between an OFW parent/s and their children

occurs mostly when the father works abroad ; and

3. Migration of parent/s does not affect the academic performance of

OFW children in terms of their parent’s economic, employment, social,

and marital status.

Specific conclusions were also gathered for a better understanding of

the study, to wit:

1. According to the findings, the distribution of the male and female

population of those respondents whose parents are OFWs was almost

the same; 46.67 percent and 53.33 percent respectively. This

indicates that the high inflation has made life difficult here at home

which has pushed parents of both sexes to go abroad for a better

income to support their families;

2. The data shows a higher percentage of mothers as OFWs than their

counterpart. But, it seems that, the higher number of overseas

employment does not necessarily mean a higher income. When it

comes to the annual income, more respondents showed that their

 fathers earned a higher salary then their mothers. But the biggest

number of income in both the parents ranged in Php451, 000 - P500,

000 income bracket. The higher percentage within this bracket might

be the reason why most respondents received a monthly allowance

within Php5001-P10, 000 range. On the other hand, the respondents

of age 19 had the biggest percentage of 26.67 in this range.

Correlating the data of monthly allowance to the place of employment

of the parents, the research showed a direct connection of higher

allowance to the higher placement of employment of parents in Europe

that amounts to 20%;

3. In terms of relationship of respondents with their parents, the findings

showed that a staggering 50 percent of the OFW parents visited their

family once a year. This signifies that family ties are close between the

parents and their children. The relationship between a majority of

respondents and their mothers improved significantly after they left for

overseas employment. It is associated to the mother’s higher

percentage of land based jobs and higher frequency of visits to their

families. Whereas, the relationship with the fathers declined as higher

percentage of the father’s job as sea based, which consequently

affected to a lesser frequency of visits to their families. The bond of

the father-child had broken as foundation weakened; and

4. Based on the before and after deployment of the parents’ overseas

employment did not show any direct adverse effect on the academic
 performance of the respondents as more than 50 percent answered

satisfactory on both counts. While, only 23 percent of the total showed

a decline in their academic performance which can be related to a high

83 percent absences incurred in class.

Recommendations

In view of the significant findings and conclusions, the following

recommendations are well- indorsed for consideration:

For further research:

1. A detailed study should be conducted on the implications of employment

of OFW parents on the academic performance of students should be

further made.

2. A further study should be done on why more mothers are going abroad for

employment than the fathers.

3. A detailed study should be carried out on the impact of social issues on

the personality and behavior of children of OFW parents.

4. An analysis should be made on the economic impact on how OFW

children behave with their peers.

5. A study on what development stage does the separation from parents

affect the attitude and performance of a child.

Other recommendations:

1. That the school administration should encourage the teachers to give

special attention to the children of OFWs if they profess behavioral and

academic changes which are not desirable;

2. That there should be a special module class for children who are going

through problems;

3. The school administration should coordinate with governmental and non

governmental organizations (NGO) which handle issues concerning the

welfare of OFW children; and

4. The government should allocate its budget to the welfare of the children of

the OFW giving special attention on their education.

5. The governmental and non- governmental organizations and civil service

sectors should conduct seminars and awareness campaigns in enforcing

the importance of education and academic excellence towards the benefit

of OFW children and the wellness of their family.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books

 Bob Brannan, A Writer’s Workshop: Crafting Paragraphs, Building Essays,

McGraw Hill, Kansas, 2003.

 Arthur W. Heilman, Principles of Practice of Teaching Diversified Culture,

Charles Merrill Publishing, Ohio, 1992.

 Shawn Golinosky, International Migrant Workers: An Analysis, Oxford

Press, London, 1999.

 The New Lexicon Webster’s Encyclopedia Dictionary, Danbury, C.T.

Lexicon Publications Inc., 1992.

Journals

 Building Blocks for Development through Research, Research Journal,

Volume 3, No. 1 March 2008, Lyceum of the Philippines University.

 Psychology and Education, An Interdisciplinary Journal, Volume 45, No.1,

2008.

 Hearts Apart: An OFW Children education open discussion, 2006.

Electronic Journals

 www.gfmd-fmmd.org, http://www.gfmd fmmd.org/en/system/files/Ninez+y+

Migracion+en+Ecuador+EN.pdf, 20 June 2008.

 www.gfmd-fmmd.org, http://www.gfmd-fmmd.org/en/system/files/UNICEF+
 IRC+Children+of+International+Migrants+in+Indonesia+Thailand+and+the

+Philippines-John+Bryant.pdf, 20 June 2008.

 Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, www.poea.gov.ph

 Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, www.owwa.gov.ph

 Department of Labor and Employment, www.dole.gov.ph

 Research Method Studies, www.researchmethod.edu

 Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia, www.wikipedia.org