TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ OPINIONS ABOUT THE REASONS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION STUDENTS’ ABSENTEEISM IN EUROPE AND TURKEY

Abstract

This work is a study of the convergent pattern of mixed methods research that combines quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess teachers’ and students’ opinions based on the reason of secondary education students’ absenteeism in Europe and Turkey. The study sample is 10 teachers (two from each country) working in high schools in Turkey, Iceland, Austria, Czech Republic, and Spain, and 155 students are studying in those teachers’ schools determined by using purposive sampling method to access them easily. A semi-structured interview form was used in the interviews with 10 teachers. The data collection tool applied to 155 students is the " "The Scale of Absenteeism Causes." Descriptive analysis technique was used in the analysis of qualitative data. In the analysis conducted of the study, it is observed that there is a difference between the reasons for absenteeism of boys and girls. A significant difference was found between the reasons for absenteeism of the students according to the country they live in. According to teachers, student absenteeism originates from school, students, psychology, and parents. Also, teachers' suggestions to reduce students' absenteeism and early school leaving were included in the interview form and evaluated in the analysis part of the study