Teenage Mothers’ Graduation and Drop-out Rates in the Philippines

ABSTRACT : In adherence to UNESCO’s millennium development goals, this study centers on the rights of women to higher education despite unexpected pregnancies. Using simulation modeling and validation of the results of simulation then comparing it into the actual data, this study assesses the extent to which teenage moms succeed in acquiring a college degree. Assumptions were formulated to measure different variables namely age and educational level which were found to be directly proportional to achieving success in education despite unexpected pregnancies. Findings reveal that the possibility of teenage mothers who succeed in acquiring a bachelor’s degree is much lower than the chance of dropping out. A more mature age and a higher education level may surface as contributors of success. Finishing school as a teenage mother poses a serious challenge that extends beyond age and educational level.

KEYWORDS: graduation and drop-out rates, higher education, simulation modeling, teenage mothers, and unexpected pregnancies