European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology ISSN: 2786-4936 www.ejsit-journal.com Volume 3 | Number 5 | 2023 114 EJSIT Understanding the Complex Factors behind Students Dropping Out of School Francis Thaise A. Cimene, PhD 1 , Angel-April C. Albino, LPT 2 , Rouche Amschel J. Mijares 2 , Flora Pacilita M. Hallazgo, LPT 2 , Mary Jean Austria, LPT 3 , Leah Marie C. Corporal, LPT 3 , Rorilie T. Elarcosa, LPT 3 , Flora Mae B. Quipanes, LPT 3 , Stephanie N. Recto, LPT 3 , Rewie Jane D. Villaflor, LPT 3 1 University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Philippines 2 Department of Education, Philippines 3 Capitol University, Philippines ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify factors affecting students dropping out of school through multiple lenses. It employed a qualitative research design with the key informant interview as the mode of data collection. Data were obtained from 25 key informants and they primarily fall within the age range of 18 to 19, 20 to 21, and 21 and above, indicating that the study focuses on young adults who dropped out of school. There is a fairly even distribution of male and female key informants, suggesting that both genders are represented in the study. The majority of key informants dropped out of school during their senior high school years, particularly in Grade 12. Moreover, the study identifies several key factors contributing to school dropouts, including the need to work and help the family, teenage pregnancy, difficulty coping with academic demands, bullying incidents, lack of motivation, and parental influence. These findings align with the principles of self-determination theory (SDT), which emphasizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in motivating and retaining students in educational settings. The study highlights how external factors, such as the need to work and parental influence, can limit students' autonomy and motivation, potentially leading to disengagement and dropout. It also underscores the impact of academic struggles on students' competence and motivation, indicating that persistent academic challenges can erode confidence and motivation to continue their education. Keywords: School Dropout, Factors, Qualitative Research INTRODUCTION School dropout constitutes a pressing issue, carrying severe consequences and imposing substantial social costs (Parreño, 2023; Campbell, 2015). When a student fails to enroll in school despite reaching the legally mandated school age, they are categorized as a dropout. The number of students who discontinue their education and the extent of their absenteeism serve as pivotal indicators reflecting the performance of a nation's educational system. These indicators not only shed light on the current state of the educational system but also offer insights into potential future challenges (Graeff-Martin et al., 2006). The dropout rate, as defined by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), signifies "the percentage of students who departed from school." This encompasses students who have successfully completed the previous grade level but, for various reasons, did not enroll in the subsequent grade level during the academic year. Furthermore, it includes those who did not progress to the next grade level in the following school year (Dropout rate, 2006). The Philippines has grappled with a significant dropout issue since 2005, with statistics revealing that 26% of primary school students failed to complete the sixth grade and 23% did not finish the eighth grade, extending into high school (UNESCO, 2015).