This study aimed to identify the probable causes and effects of absenteeism among elementary grade teachers of selected public schools in Kabukiran I District, Caloocan City during the school year 1997-1998.
Specifically, this investigation sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex, civil status, residence, educational attainment, number of siblings, years of teaching experience, rank/ position and income?
2. What are the probable causes of absenteeism among elementary grade teachers of selected public school in Kabukiran I District?
3. How many frequent absences affect the academic performance of pupils?
4. What are the problems encountered by the administrators when teachers incur frequent absencdes?
5. What sanctions may be given to teachers incurring frequent absences?
6. What recommendations may be given to minimize absenteesim among elementary grade teachers?

The descriptive normative approach was utilized in this study. In obtaining the data and other necessary informations, the researchers used the questionnaire, observations, and documentary analysis and informal unstructured interview guide.
Five point likert scale, was used to measure to degree of effects of the teachers absenteeism in the academic performance of the pupils responses presented by using frequency counts, corresponding percentages and ranking
This study yielded the following findings:

Majority of 15 or 26% were 26-30 years of age. Among the 58 teacher respondents, 38 or 66% were married; 28 or 48% lived near the school station. There were 49 or 84% with bachelor of science degree graduated and who did not anymore go beyond these courses. Twenty-three or 40% of the teachers had 2-3 children, 21 or 36% no children, 8 or 14% had 4-5 children, 5 or 8% had only one child , or 2% of the teacher-respondents had 8-9 children. Out of 58 teachers, 23 or 40% had been in the services for the last five years and below, 53 or 90% who were teacher I. Out of 58 teachers, 45 or 76% had a monthly income of P8,000.00 to P9,000.00.
The probable causes of absenteeism among elementary grade teachers of selected public school were:
a. poor health/illness , rank 1;
b. financial problems, rank 2;
c. problems at home, rank 3;
d. social obligation like acting sponsor to a wedding, baptism, etc., rank 4;
E. bad weather, heavy traffic and difficulty in taking a ride, rank 5;
f. attendance in seminars, in service- training conferences, scouting activities, workshops, athletics, etc, rank 6;
g. was due to too many school duties, reports and extra curicular activities, rank 7;
h. the problems with pupils, rank 8;
i. the problems with peers, administrators and supervisors, rank 9; and the lst
j. was due to uncomfortable classrooms.

There are 10 advance effects of absenteeism:
1. encourage dropouts
2. develops unruly, undisciplined pupils
3. decreases pupils' output
4. created conflict among pupils
5. created dissatisfaction of pupils.
6. result to tardiness and absenteeism of pupils.
7. lowers the schools' achievement report.
8. deprives pupils of their chance to learn.
9. breeds disinterest among pupils.
10. decreases pupils' respect towards teachers.