Sinimulan pero ‘di Tinapos: Experiences of School Dropouts and Their Parents

Abstract

Several investigations have been undertaken to identify the issue that causes student dropout. Interestingly, a dearth of studies focusing on an in-depth case analysis of specific stories and explanations inside individual interviews is evident. This led the researchers to conduct this study. This study aimed to explore what contributes to the dropping of students from school. This study employed the case study design and criterion sampling was used in choosing the participants. Aide-mémoire was used as the main data-gathering tool. Seven (7) willing students who dropped out during the first and second semesters of the school year 2022-2023 at the ISPSC Santiago campus and seven (7) parents served as key informats of the study. A family member and friend for each of the main respondents also participated as part of the triangulation process of the study. Then, the gathered data from the interview transcripts were analysed by applying the cool and warm analyses. The study revelead that the financial restrictions were the prominent element leading to school dropout experiences as many students struggled to finance their educational expenditures, or they needed to support financially their families. Inadequate assistance from educational institutions, such as a lack of resources and an unsupportive school environment, also played a role in dropout decisions. Individual reasons such as academic difficulties, disinterest in studies, and low self-esteem influenced students' decisions to abandon their education. With these reasons, the phrase sinimulan pero ‘di tinapos (started but did not finish) was conceptualized which charaterized the dropping of students from their classes. Nonetheless, the study concludes that parental involvement and support are critical in attaining educational success while lack of family support and financial challenges hampered it.