MANILA, Philippines — A groundbreaking study by a government think tank has identified domestic violence as a critical factor driving children out of the classroom, providing “compelling evidence” that early experiences of harm at home have a profound impact on a child’s future.
The Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) highlighted findings from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) titled “Early Harm, Lasting Impact: The Effect of Parental Violence on Educational Outcomes Among Filipino Children.” The research indicates that violence at home disrupts emotional stability and cognitive development, making it significantly harder for children to remain engaged in school.
Key Findings
- The “Age 14” Risk: Adolescents who experienced physical or emotional violence from parents at age 10 had 52 to 57 percent lower odds of being enrolled in school by the age of 14.
- Gender Disparity: The risk is severe for both genders, but girls appear particularly vulnerable. The study found that boys were 48 percent less likely to be enrolled, while girls were 66 percent less likely to be in school following exposure to domestic abuse.
- Prevalence: Alarmingly, researchers found that nearly four in 10 Filipino children had experienced some form of parental violence by age 10.
Enrollment Decline The study comes as the Department of Education (DepEd) reports a noticeable dip in student numbers. For the 2025-2026 school year, national enrollment fell to 25 million, down from 27 million in the previous year. While poverty and lack of interest are often cited as primary reasons for dropping out, this research underscores domestic abuse as a silent, yet powerful, catalyst.
Long-Term Tracking The data was pulled from the Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child, a 15-year project tracking 5,000 children from 2016 until they reach the age of 24 in 2030. Researchers noted that while the impact on school attendance is clear, the link between domestic violence and specific academic proficiency in subjects like math and science was less statistically significant.
“These early experiences of harm have profound consequences for a child’s educational trajectory,” Edcom 2 said in a statement. The commission is calling for stronger integration between school guidance systems and community protection services to identify at-risk students before they leave the education system entirely.