Abstract:
Dropout rate is the percentage of learners who leave school during the year for any reason to the total number of learners enrolled in a particular school year (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2019). Statistics showed that dropout rate is on the rise globally (UNICEF, 2018). This study investigated the lived experiences of selected dropouts of Lussoc National High School from School Year 2015-2016 to 2018-2019. The participants were chosen through purposive sampling. A semi-structured interview guide was utilized to gather the narrations of the participants. Data analysis involved the five steps developed by Giorgi’s (2015) involving phenomenological perspectives. The verbatim was the basis of the deduced findings. Significant findings emerged five major themes. First, parental and home support supported by the sub-themes parental quarrel, lack of support and poverty. Second, learning environment supported by the sub-themes boring/ annoying teachers, inconvenient physical environment and lack of learning resources; Third, demographic shift supported by the sub-themes migration and parents’ job transfer; Fourth, plethora of personal experiences supported by the sub-themes learner infightings, hopelessness and bullying. Fifth, being employed to stay afloat supported by sub themes looking for means to survive, learning the ropes of agriculture and long shot to enroll in college. Furthermore, findings of the study call for the need to create safe and inviting learning environment, build strong connections with parents and other stakeholders, provide all students with ample guidance and engaging programs and develop better policies geared towards reducing dropout rate.

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Keywords: Phenomenology, Out-of-School Youth, Guidance and Counselling, Issues, Educational System, Stakeholders