To Leave or To Stay?: A Qualitative Study on College Student Withdrawal in the Province of Laguna

Abstract

This study undertakes an in-depth qualitative analysis on reasons for withdrawal among the SUC’s, LUC’s and Private Colleges in the province of Laguna to inform current and future approaches to student retention. The qualitative data gathered are used to elaborate the similarities and differences among higher education institutions, and aimed to offer a wider understanding of why students withdraw from higher education in this country. The findings pointed to the need for an efficient and humanistic approach to respond to the issue of student withdrawal, and the importance of a more systematic approach across the sector. Although this is true for a particular group of students, it should not be the sole lens through which withdrawal is viewed. The conclusions draw out the policy implications of the findings and point to areas that require further research. A more systematic approach to student withdrawal should be collaboratively developed by all higher education institutions. There is the need within higher education policy to adopt a broader perspective on student non-completion recognizing that student non-completion can actually be part of a student’s broader career plan as well as being a potentially negative phenomenon. It is also suggested to have a more integrated approach to higher education provision needs to be developed, including recognition of the links between student non-completion and other public policies including the operation of the student grants system and transportation planning. Further qualitative studies to understand the “pull” factors that keep students in institutions when they have considered withdrawing would be the key to the evidence based inputs needed to further address attrition and retention.