Dissertation (MA Education)
This study aimed to find out factors influencing students' drop out in higher learning
institutions and its emanating consequences. It employed a cross-sectional research
design, in which mixed research approaches were employed. A sample of 91
respondents which comprised 6 heads of departments, 2 academic staff, 2 deputy
deans of students, 75 continuing students, and 6 students who dropped out from
studies. The study had three objectives: first to find out the factors influencing
students' dropout from studies, second to examine the consequences of students'
dropout from studies and third to explore the strategies on reducing dropout rate of
students.
The findings of the study revealed that students' drop out from the university is
attributed to factors related to social, economic, incompetence in academic matters
and poor discipline among the students, lack of confidence, family separation,
unemployment, perpetuation of poverty, and social evils. The study suggests that;
when students join with higher education they should be thoroughly oriented with
different programs of studies, the university should be directly involved in selection
of students to join in, the university should strengthen guidance and counseling unit
and quality assurance unit should do strict follow up of what is delivered to students.
The study ends by recommending that university administration should; improve
teaching and learning environment, lengthen English course for foreign students,
establish a unit to deal with foreign students' matters, recruit professional
counselors, and ensure academic staff undergo professional teaching training.