Causes of Absenteeism

Absenteeism is caused by many factors as such as:

1. Phobic Adolescence: During this stage in the growth of a teen, there is a lot of fear developed as a result of physical changes of the body for example growth of pimples, turbulent emotions e.t.c. This scares teens away from school.

2. Lack of Interest: Students could be lacking interest in the study, which could be as a result of content that is difficult for them to grasp hence pushing them away from school.

3. Teacher approach: The approach used by teachers may not be understood by the student and this could lead them to lose interest in school. Punitive attendance policy plays a big role in absenteeism too.

4. Pamperness from the family: Students who get excessive pocket money from their families are most likely to absent themselves from school since they need time to spend the money.

5. Private Couching: Flexible private couching encouraged by some parents could drive a number of students away from the conventional school timetable.

6. Diseases: Some diseases like asthma which requires attention and care as well as an environment that is warm and not dusty could make students remain home.

7. School Infrastructural Facilities: Lack of libraries, sports facilities is a hindrance to attendance of school among students.

8. Entertainment: Accessibility of entertainment facilities like cinemas could divert attention of some students from school.

Absenteeism can lead to depression and also result in poor quality of education as a result of time lost while being away from school. It could also lead to moral degradation that leads to drug abuse, early pregnancies and unruly behavior.

Absenteeism can be remedied by providing adequate co-curricular activities to students. It could be curbed by creating of clubs and societies to keep students busy when they are out of class. Schools should strive to have up to date learning facilities like libraries as well as sporting facilities to make students enhance student retention.

The Alchemist

Thoughts

     The books also talked about the connection of everything in this universe. We are all connected. We are all one. The universal soul talks to us by way of our intuitions. We should always remember that what we desire to have and the desires of the universe and the force that bind them is always positive. Like what the book says. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

   The book teaches the very basic thing to be always optimistic. The book looks into the mysteries and realities of our life, which we never pause to ponder. Like the alchemist who can turn an ordinary rock into a gold, if we follow our own calling, we can also turn our ordinary lives into something unimaginable.

Insights

  The first lesson that I learned was that dreams don't go anywhere unless one pursues them.  Santiago could have let his dream die, but instead he persevered and took action to try and the treasure.

     The second lesson that I learned was that change is good.  The merchant never could bring himself to travel or accomplish more because he was afraid of change.  It is through embracing  change that we become who we are and shape our destiny.

     The last lesson that I identified is that the journey itself is the prize.  Life is a journey.  Santiago never found his physical treasure but he gained insight, and wisdom, a new love, and self-satisfaction through his journey.  It led him back home but he had fulfilled his dream through his journey.  He had met people and seen things that he would never have seen if he stayed home watching the sheep.

Symbolism 

     There is Santiago's sheep. They represent Santiago's blindness to his own destiny, his own quest. Like the sheep he mindlessly does the same thing everyday.

     There is of course Alchemy. The ability to turn base lead into gold. The symbolism comes in when Santiago follows his quest and learns he can turn (spiritually) what he already has into something beyond gold.