Percepciones e Intervenciones Relacionadas a la Deserción Escolar en Escuelas Oficiales de Panamá

Abstract

This study utilizes data from 345 public schools from all Panamanian provinces participating in the 2019 National Contest for Educational Excellence. The percentage of schools by educational region and grade that identify educational exclusion as a problem, meaning children and youth of school age who dropout or are absent from school, was identified utilizing the contest enrollment form. Interviews were carried out in schools with teachers, principals, administrators, parents and students. The authors identified perceptions regarding causes, strategies to prevent it and to reintegrate excluded students utilizing qualitative analysis through thematic coding and analysis of code frequencies in order to understand the perspective of the schools regarding the problem. The authors found coherence between the school’s perception and the official data in terms of grade level: exclusion increased at higher grade levels. However, the provinces that identified educational exclusion as a problem in higher proportions were not necessarily those with the highest exclusion rates according to official data. Among the prevention strategies or strategies to achieve the reintegration of students, the authors most frequently identified the following were mentioned most frequently: communication with parents, motivating students, offering meals and visiting homes were mentioned. The authors found a certain lack of coungrene in that the most mentioned cause for exclusion was financial problems (42%), while the most mentioned prevention and solution strategies were associated with family problems (33%). There was little or no mention of academic difficulties. In general, awareness of the problem was found to be high (59%), although it could be greater given its magnitude. Educational communities were found to be involved in interventions at the local level, for example: 31% indicated that they made visits to homes. The findings support existing national policies targeting economic barriers, and suggest other possible priority solutions to address the crisis.