<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Truancy among junior high school students can disrupt the learning process, discipline, and the development of personal responsibility, highlighting the need for appropriate student support. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group counseling services in reducing truancy behavior among eighth-grade students at SMP Negeri 4 Narmada. The study employed an experimental method using a One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The participants were nine students with high levels of truancy, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using closed-ended and open-ended questionnaires, as well as interviews as supporting data. Group counseling services were provided to the participants, and their truancy scores before and after the intervention were compared using a t-test. The analysis yielded a calculated t-value of 13.21, which exceeded the critical t-value of 2.306 at the 5% significance level, with 8 degrees of freedom. These results indicate a difference in truancy scores before and after the counseling intervention. Therefore, group counseling may serve as an alternative support strategy for students who exhibit a tendency to engage in truancy. Its implementation can be accompanied by attendance monitoring and collaboration among guidance and counseling teachers, school personnel, and parents. Since the study did not include a control group, the findings should be interpreted with caution. ABSTRAK Perilaku membolos pada siswa sekolah menengah pertama dapat mengganggu proses pembelajaran, kedisiplinan, dan perkembangan tanggung jawab siswa sehingga diperlukan upaya pendampingan yang sesuai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas layanan konseling kelompok dalam mengurangi perilaku membolos siswa kelas VIII di SMP Negeri 4 Narmada. Penelitian menggunakan metode eksperimen dengan desain One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. Subjek penelitian terdiri atas sembilan siswa yang memiliki tingkat perilaku membolos tinggi dan dipilih melalui teknik purposive sampling. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan angket tertutup, angket terbuka, serta wawancara sebagai data pendukung. Layanan konseling kelompok diberikan kepada subjek, kemudian skor perilaku membolos sebelum dan sesudah layanan dibandingkan menggunakan uji t-test. Hasil analisis memperoleh nilai sebesar 13,21, lebih besar daripada sebesar 2,306 pada taraf signifikansi 5% dengan derajat kebebasan 8. Hasil tersebut menunjukkan adanya perbedaan skor perilaku membolos sebelum dan sesudah pemberian layanan. Dengan demikian, konseling kelompok berpotensi menjadi salah satu alternatif pendampingan bagi siswa yang menunjukkan kecenderungan membolos. Penerapannya dapat disertai pemantauan kehadiran dan kerja sama antara guru Bimbingan dan Konseling, pihak sekolah, serta orang tua. Karena penelitian tidak menggunakan kelompok kontrol, temuan ini perlu ditafsirkan secara hati-hati.]]>
