This study examined the factors contributing to the prevalence of out-of-school youth (OSY) in Barangay Lenneng, Kabugao, Apayao, and explored their common activities. A descriptive survey research design was employed, involving 68 participants aged 15 to 30 years. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through frequency and percentage distributions and the chi-square test of independence to identify significant relationships between demographic profiles and dropout factors. Results indicated that economic factors—specifically low family income and underemployed or unemployed parents—were the primary contributors to school dropout. Emotional factors, including peer pressure, feelings of anxiety or unhappiness, low self-esteem, and lack of parental care, also influenced educational discontinuity. Physical factors, such as distance from home to school and disabilities, had a lesser but notable impact. Chi-square analysis revealed that family income, sex, highest educational attainment of the respondents, and number of siblings were significantly related to specific dropout factors, demonstrating that demographic characteristics shape the experiences of OSY. In terms of activities, OSY were involved in both productive and unproductive practices, including hanging around (“tambay”), farming, drinking alcohol, and household chores, reflecting the need for structured guidance and opportunities. The study highlights the complex interplay of economic, emotional, and physical factors in contributing to school dropout. It recommends enhanced parental involvement, youth motivation to pursue education, school initiatives to re-engage OSY, and coordination with barangay officials and agencies such as ALS and TESDA to provide educational and skills-training opportunities. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of holistic and community-based interventions to support the educational and personal development of out-of-school youth.
Acoba et al. (Sun,) studied this question.