Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction/Rationale of the Study

COVID-19, the painful reality of the twentieth century, is a pandemic that

has had a negative impact on the human race worldwide. The closing of

educational hubs, whether schools or universities, has had a negative impact on

the worldwide educational system. The severe effect was not limited to the health

sector but also spread to other economic areas. This had a significantly greater

impact than the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2009 (Gopalan & Misra, 2020).

Education is the fundamental right of every individual and provides a clear

path to the continuing expansion of the economy and society. No civilization will

prosper if there is a significantly illiterate population and a significant proportion

of its children are not in school. For the underprivileged, education is the only

method of ensuring human liberty of speech and action, as well as the only single

source of socioeconomic growth (Gretchenko et al., 2018).

One of the biggest consequences of COVID-19 in Pakistan is an increase

in poverty, which drives many pupils to child labor or early marriage. Prior to the

outbreak of this ailment, the private school sector enrolled 38% of children aged

6 to 10. Another cause for the pupils' dropout rate during this tragedy is the

exorbitant fee structure of private institutions and rising poverty levels (Abbas,

2020).

The Philippines is one of five countries in the globe that have yet to begin

in-person classrooms since the pandemic began, endangering the rights of more

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than 27 million Filipino students to learn. While new variations are increasing

infection rates, UNICEF advocates for a staggered reopening of schools,

beginning in low-risk areas. With suitable safety standards in place, this can be

done on a voluntary basis. While countries around the world are taking steps to

enable remote learning, at least 29% of primary pupils are not being reached. In

addition to a lack of remote learning assets, the youngest children may be unable

to engage owing to a lack of technical assistance, a poor learning environment,

pressure to do domestic duties, or being compelled to labor (UNICEF, 2021)

With the inevitable effects of COVID-19 on all schools worldwide, this

study seeks to investigate the perceived causes of drop-outs of the second-year

students of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management of Cebu

Technological University – Daanbantayan Campus during the new normal

learning system.

Review of Related Literature and Studies

Theoretical Background. The study anchors on the theory of Alexander

Astin (1984), “Student Engagement Theory”. Astin's theory gives the

fundamentals of philosophy regulating student commitment or involvement at

school. It is the sum of all physical and mental potentials that a student aspires to

invest in education, according to him. Higher levels of involvement result in

increased motivation and accomplishment, whereas disassociation has serious

consequences, such as dropping out of the institution (Astin, 1984).

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 THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

PERCEIVED CAUSES OF DROP OUTS AMONG SECOND-YEAR BSHM

STUDENTS OF CEBU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY –
DAANBANTAYAN CAMPUS

Student Engagement theory of Alexander Astin (1984)

FACTORS

SOCIO-
HEALTH ECONOMIC EMOTIONAL MENTAL
STATUS

IMPLICATIONS

Figure 1. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework of the Study

The development of any state has been allocated to affluent and skilled

human resources during the twentieth century's technical advancement.

Education enables nations and indigenous groups to progressively advance and

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strengthen their systems of social justice, and democratic institutions, and to

instill in future generations ideals of peace and harmony, tolerance, and mutual

respect (Naz et al., 2019).

Coronavirus 2019. Research regarding COVID-19 suggested that SARS-

CoV-2 started by bats before moving into pangolins, and then into humans.

Current research concluded that snakes might be the missing link. However, the

latest paper refutes this theory, adding more evidence that pangolins are the link.

Most scientists agree that bats are a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2. They also agree

that to reach humans, the virus needs an intermediate host (Medical News

Today, 2020). The centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is

responsible for monitoring the outbreak of a new COVID-19.

The first identified COVID-19 virus is a person from Wuhan, China. Then,

this virus has spread worldwide, leading WHO to declare this situation a

pandemic phenomenon, which means this new disease was spread worldwide

(Medical News Today, 2020). The symptoms of COVID-19 are varying from

person to person that may produce few or no symptoms. However, it can also

lead to severe illness and may be fatal. Common symptoms include fever,

breathlessness, cough, and potential loss of taste or smell. This symptom may

take 2–14 days.

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small

droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19

coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the

person. Other persons then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or

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surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Persons can also catch

COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs

out or exhales droplets. Therefore, it is very important to stay more than 1 meter

away from a person.

Because of this, universities and colleges have closed their operations for

everyone’s safety, but different learning modalities have been utilized by schools

to continue learning. Online learning has been the most used platform of

learning, however, many students tend not to continue because they don’t have

internet access at home.

Conceptualization of students’ dropout. In the past, experts say this

out-of-school child and young generation is a concern. Whatever name we used

in the past under various conditions and cases such as early school leaving,

disconnection, stop outs, or exclusion, they all indicate out-of-school student

status or school dropouts. Out-of-school time is a massive phenomenon that is

not only complex in character but also has numerous subsets. While studying

dropout cases, some researchers classify specific conditions and criteria, which

include students who are not in attendance or children who leave the school

before completing their legal education age due to death or acceptance to

another school (Mughal, 2020).

Present Conviction of Drop-out. Different research studies conducted

on the dropout rate in high schools have taken it as a complex process, resulting

from several alterable and unalterable factors, responsible for influencing the

students to leave the institution before graduation (Christenson et al., 2001).

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Eckstrom et al., (1986) have given a much broader perspective regarding

dropout phenomena which helps us to visualize beyond the factors associated

with students like, family affordability, the socio-cultural background of the family,

the role of teachers and school, and distance from school, etc. and persistent

affordability of the family that is directly proportional to the student who drops out

from the school (Pong & Ju, 2000; Rumberger & Larson, 1998).

To control this illness, international bans on gathering, social isolation, and

travel restrictions were implemented (Maria et al., 2020). Fear of coronavirus is

one of the biggest influences on people's health and mental well-being. Parents

of children who are experiencing increased death anxiety are keeping their

children at home to keep them safe and comfortable. As a result, COVID-19 has

a direct impact on student dropout in Pakistan (Shakil et al., 2020).

School closure is an effective social strategy that is being used around the

world, however these efforts can have serious consequences for education and

learning (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). School closures in Pakistan may have an

impact on children's and students' learning levels, admissions, and future wages.

Learning loss during this phase can take between 0.3 and 0.8 years of learning-

adjusted schooling for the average student. Pakistani children today spend an

average of 9.1 years in school, but due to poor education quality, they only study

5.1 years. Students will feel significant repercussions not long after schools

reopen, but they will go a long way because knowledge deficit cannot be filled in

any way (Abbass, 2020).

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 While reviewing many studies in the arena of post-disaster scenarios,

Shakil et al. (2020) believe that the psychological impact of disruption of normal

activity due to catastrophes, as documented in both developing and developed

countries, has a substantial impact on educational learning accomplishments. It

is a well-known fact that under intense stress, people's mental abilities and

memories suffer the most. Similarly, school closures due to COVID-19 will have

no effect on children.

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 THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

This research study generally aims to determine the perceived causes of

drop-outs among second-year BSHM students of Cebu Technological University

– Daanbantayan Campus, Agujo, Daanbantayan, Cebu.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the perceived causes of dropping out among the respondents in

terms of the following factors:

1.1 Health;

1.2 Socio-economic status;

1.3 Emotional; and

1.4 Mental?

2. Based on the findings of the study, what implications can be proposed?

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study focuses on determining the perceived causes of drop-outs

among second-year BSHM students of Cebu Technological University –

Daanbantayan Campus, Agujo, Daanbantayan, Cebu. There will be 30

respondents from the 2nd year BSHM students. The local environment of the

study will be the school itself of the researchers, Cebu Technological University –

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Daanbantayan Campus, Agujo, Daanbantayan, Cebu for the academic year

2021-2022.

Convenient sampling will be used to determine the 30 target respondents. The

gathered data were collected, tabulated, interpreted, and analyzed for the

conclusion, recommendations, and possible implications.

Significance of the Study

The results of the study are beneficial for the following:

Cebu Technological University – Hospitality & Management

Department, Daanbantayan Campus. The study would give pertinent data to

assist the students in not dropping out of their studies.

BSHM Department. They would be aware of the alarming causes in

order to mitigate and come up with achievable plans.

Parents. They would be given ideas to help their children in coping with

the new normal in the learning system.

Students. They will be given assistance for struggles in coping with the

new normal.

Researchers. They would be learning the causes of drop outs among

students in this new normal learning system.

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 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This part discusses the research design, flow of the study, environment,

respondents, instrument, data gathering procedure, statistical treatment of data,

and ethical consideration.

Research Design

This study employs a descriptive-normative survey design. The survey

technique, otherwise known as normative survey, is a fact-finding study with

adequate and accurate interpretation. It is used to determine determining the

perceived causes of drop-outs among second-year BSHM students. Such data

are analyzed, organized, and interpreted.

Flow of the Study

Figure 2 shows the flow of the study. This study encompasses the inputs

to be studied: the perceived causes of dropping outs in terms of the following

given factors: health, socioeconomic status, emotional, and mental. A research

questionnaire will then be utilized. Then, the data will be retrieved, collated,

tabulated, presented, analyzed, treated, and interpreted. The findings of the

study will be the bases for possible implications of the study.

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 INPUT

Perceived causes of Descriptive Method

dropping outs among Transmittal Letter IMPLICATIONS OF
2nd year students of Statistical THE STUDY
BSHM in terms of: Treatment
health, Interpretation
socioeconomic status, Analysis
emotional, and mental Conclusion

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 Figure 2. Flow of the Study
Environment
The study will be conducted at the Cebu Technological University –

Daanbantayan Campus, Agujo, Daanbantayan Cebu. It is one of the campuses

in the Province of Cebu. This is where the respondents study. The location map

can be seen in figure 3.

Respondents

In this research undertaking, there will be 30 chosen respondents. They

will be conveniently chosen by the researchers.

Table 1 shows the Distribution of Respondents

Respondents Frequency

2nd year BSHM students 30

Instrument

A self-made questionnaire will be used by the researchers. An expert will

be consulted to determine its validity and reliability. A google form will be utilized

if the respondents cannot be given the questionnaire physically.

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Figure 3: The Research Locale

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Data Gathering Procedures
At the commencement of the gathering of data, the researchers will ask

permission from the dean of the College of Hospitality Management to conduct

the study through transmittal letters as well as the approval of the respondents

living in the Municipality of Daanbantayan to advance conducting the study. The

researchers then proceeded with the gathering of data. The researchers will

conduct the study.

Before the questionnaires will be given to the respondents of the study,

they will be informed about the title and purpose of this study. After the

researchers will give the instructions, the respondents will be given at least 10 -

15 minutes to answer an online survey questionnaire or actual. All instruments

gathered will be given to the leader to keep the utmost confidentiality of the

respondents.

In tabulating the data, the researchers will provide accurate, precise, and

detailed interpretations of the collected numerical data and are supported by the

identified theories and concepts from previously conducted research studies. In

such a way the researchers may be able to justify the data and be able to provide

statistical information.

Statistical Treatment of Data

This research study will utilize this statistical measure to facilitate the

verification of the above-mentioned inquiries:

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 Weighted Mean. This will be used in determining the perceived causes of

drop-outs among second-year BSHM students of Cebu Technological University

– Daanbantayan Campus, Agujo, Daanbantayan, Cebu.

The formula for getting the weighted mean is as follows:

Σ fw
WM=
N

where,
WM = weighted mean
f= frequency of the responses
w= weight in the rating scale
N = number of respondents

Scoring Procedure

Table 2

Scoring System on Descriptive Mean of the Level of Agreement to the perceived

causes of drop-outs among second-year BSHM students of Cebu Technological

University – Daanbantayan Campus, Agujo, Daanbantayan, Cebu using the 4-

Likert Scale

Weight Category/Scale Verbal Description

4 3.26 - 4.00 Strongly Agree

3 2.51 - 3.25 Agree

2 1.76 - 2.50 Disagree

1 1.00 - 1.75 Strongly Disagree

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Ethical Consideration

Ethics is a valuable resource in research since it is used to define the

standards and moral duties that researchers should follow when doing

quantitative and qualitative research. These ethics will define the study's quality

and trustworthiness, as well as provide advice to the researcher through honing

skills in achieving the desired outcomes. The following are the ethical principles

that the researcher considered when performing the study: First, the researcher

will conduct a pre-survey on the study with the highest regard for the

respondents. Second, the researcher is sensitive to intellectual property, such as

copylefted materials (Orb, Eisenhauer, and Wynaden, 2000). This is

accomplished by ensuring that all previewed articles, publications, magazines,

newspapers, blogs, books, journals, theses, and citations are included in the

required format in research reports. Furthermore, the researchers bear social

duty both during and after the study. For example, the researcher will not expose

the participant's private information to the public because doing so would

jeopardize the participant's integrity and show contempt (Onwuegbuzie,

Dickinson, Leech and Zoran, 2009). Participants will be asked to reply to

confidential questions in surveys and interviews, and the researchers are

supposed to keep them confidential. Finally, the researchers are open and self-

sufficient both during and after the research process.

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 DEFINITION OF TERMS

To further understand the study, the following terms were operationally defined:

BSHM students. They are the respondents of the study who can give

essential answers to the sub-problems.

COVID-19. This refers to the worldwide pandemic that results in the

closures of universities and colleges.

Drop-Out. This refers to the status of students who are no longer in

school.

Emotional Factor. This refers to the feelings of the students about the

new normal learning system that may contribute to the increasing number of

dropouts.

Health Factor. This factor refers to the consideration of one’s health due

to the pandemic.

Mental Factor. This refers to the state of mind of learners and whether

they can mentally adapt to the new normal learning.

New Normal. This refers to the status of the world due to the COVID-19

pandemic.

Socioeconomic Status Factor. This refers to the financial capacity of the

students if they can sustain the demand of the new normal learning system

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 RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE

Name (Optional): __________________

Course: __________

Directions: Determine your perceived level of agreement with the given

causes of dropouts among the 2nd year students of BSHM, CTU –
Daanbantayan, Campus by putting a check mark.

Causes based on the given Strongly Disagree Strongly

Factors Agree Agree Disagree
(4) (3) (2) (1)
1. Health Factor
- COVID-19 may endanger
our lives while studying
- One’s safety is my topmost
consideration of dropping
out
2. Socioeconomic Status
- My family cannot afford to
sustain internet
connectivity for online
classes
- My family cannot afford to
install an internet
connection at home
3. Emotional Factor
- Fear of Death
- Feeling difficulty using the
online platform for learning
- Unsatisfied because one’s
attitude towards online
learning is negative
4. Mental Factor
- Inability to accept
knowledge using online
learning

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- Mentally demotivated to
learn using online learning

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