Examining The Impact of Teacher Absenteeism on Academic Performance Among Primary-Level Students in Faisalabad

Abstract

The frequent absence of teachers has a direct impact on student's academic performance and also gives rise to various management challenges. The primary objective of this research was to assess the perceived consequences of teacher absenteeism on the performance of primary school students. The study was conducted in the primary schools of Tehsil Sadar Faisalabad, located in District Faisalabad. Out of a total population of 200 teachers across 20 primary schools, a random sample of 80 teachers was selected for data collection. Data were gathered through a structured, validated, and reliable questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that substitute teachers faced a range of challenges, including difficulty in gaining students' attention, insufficient communication skills, availability of substitute teachers, maintaining classroom discipline, addressing students' mental disturbances, and managing the classroom burden resulting from the absenteeism of regular teachers. Furthermore, the impact on students was perceived in the form of increased disobedience, lower academic grades, students arriving late to school, attitude problems, and a reduced enthusiasm for learning. It is evident that teacher absenteeism not only contributes to behavioral issues among students but also leads to their dissatisfaction with the learning environment. It is recommended that government authorities implement stringent policies to ensure regular teacher attendance and, by extension, enhance the overall quality of education.