An exploratory study on factors contributing to drop- out of learners at Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL)

Abstract

This study on the reasons why learners drop out from NAMCOL was important to do because NAMCOL has experienced an increase in the drop outs rate. Of course, the reasons for dropout are numerous and complex. Accordingly, the phenomenon of adult learner dropout cannot be understood by looking at just one or two variables. // This paper examines the issue of college learner dropout in four NAMCOL educational regions: // Northern Region, which caters for § Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto political regions // North-Eastern Region, which caters for § Kavango and Caprivi political regions // Central Region, which caters for § Kunene, Erongo and part of Otjozondjupa political regions // Southern Region, which caters for § Khomas, Hardap, Karas, Omaheke and part of Otjozondjupa political regions. // The study focused on the dropout learners in grade 10 and 12 in 2008-2009. The researcher used regional office staff and the head office NAMCOL centres to reach out to learner through the learner representative councils and minister semi-structured interview schedules. Regional managers, area coordinators, head of centers, tutors, parents or caregivers were also consulted to detect at-risk factors so that these can be addressed early on an attempt to reduce the likelihood of learner dropout. // Most states are far from the 90% graduation rate that was targeted in the early 1990s (National Educational Goals Panel, 2002).