Factors influencing student retention at the University of Namibia
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Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Student retention is one of major challenges confronting universities worldwide
because some students leave university before completing their studies. This
continues to be a concern for higher education institutions. If unaddressed, this could
negatively impact student retention rates. The purpose of this study was to identify
factors influencing student retention at the University of Namibia. The study used a
mixed methods approach and a convergent parallel design. The research was guided
by the theoretical framework of Tinto's (1975) model of student departure. Data were
collected during the 2018 to 2020 academic years. The pragmatist paradigm was
suitable for this study in using quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect and
analyse data. The target population was all first- and second-year students from all
Faculties of the University of Namibia’s Main Campus enrolled in the 2017-2018 and
2018-2019 academic years and those who dropped out in the preceding years. The
population also included academic and administrative staff, sampled from
departments related to the students and their study programmes. The data were
collected using interview guides with thirty persister students who were grouped into
six focus groups for discussions which had five to six students in each group. Fourteen
non-persister students completed survey questionnaires. Academic and administrative
staff members completed a staff survey questionnaire. Quantitative data were
analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas the qualitative data were analysed using
the thematic analysis approach. The study revealed that the most important factors
that influence student drop out at the University of Namibia include difficulty in
getting assistance from staff and negative staff attitude, difficulty in selecting the
desired major, difficulty in making the transition from high school to university,
students’ timetabling and workload, the lecturing style, and financial problems.
Another issue which emerged during the time of this study was the outbreak of Covid-19. Based on the findings, this study proposes a framework to inform researchers
undertaking future research in this area to help with improvements on student
retention rates as a way to contribute to the reduction of dropout rates at institutions
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy in education
Keywords
Student retention, Higher education institutions, Persister, Non-persister