Lecture Non-Attendance by University Students: Triggers and Solutions

Abstract

Lecture non-attendance by university students is a major issue in many institutions of higher learning globally. This study was conducted to determine the institutional-based factors and student-centered factors that cause absenteeism among undergraduate students in a public university in Kenya. This paper focuses on what we consider to be one of the impacts of demographic changes in the university where we teach. We have both witnessed chronic cases of absenteeism; an observation that informed this study. We carried out the research with two groups of students from one teaching department in June and October 2013. The June group comprised of 1styears (N=68) that were in their second semester, and the October group comprised of 3rd years in their first semester (N=84). The groups were purposively selected; the first years were relatively new to a university environment whereas the 3rd years were considered to be 'at home ’. A self­ administered questionnaire with open ended items was developed and administered to the groups in their respective homogenous cohorts. Through the questionnaires we sought to find out reasons why students in our university miss lectures. We also requested the respondents to suggest measures that should be taken to curb absenteeism at the university. Mixed method of data analysis was used Based on findings, we categorized the students ’ responses on causes of absenteeism into two; institutional-basedfactors and student-centered factors. The suggested solutions mainly focused on the actions to be taken by the university. Given the current demographic trends in Kenyan universities, the students raised critical issues that touch on quality of services, leadership and management of university operations. The university needs to enact policies that monitor and evaluate its core business.