Main reasons for the early departure of students during class time

Abstract

The number of students who leave school before the end of the classes is worrisome regarding the progress of school life; and can be harmful when frequent. A survey on the main reasons for that departure is essential so that actions can be taken, thus allowing the School Unit (“Unidade Escolar [U.E.]”) to develop methods that aim the decrease in that departure, avoiding truancy even if it’s only in part of the period. Categorizing the data shows features as period of study, sex, age and class, which distinguish the students regarding the amount of departures. The usage of the minute of early departure from a municipal elementary school in the city of Osasco, as source of data, showed that 42,22% of the students left school in the last semester of 2019 before the end of daily classes, for several reasons, whether coming from the school or from the ones responsible for the students. Analyzing the data, it is possible to notice that boys, in the afternoon period, close to the end of the class depart more frequently, and the reasons for the departure are mostly not defined by the ones responsible for the students. These data show that there must be a bigger concern towards that specific group in order to reduce the amount of departures and keep students in school as much as they are entitled to.

Keywords
Elementary school; School attendance; Class period; Truancy; Departure time