Voluntary Discontinuation and Timely Completion Rates of Undergraduate Programs: A Case Study in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

Abstract

A higher timely-graduation rate with lower dropouts, either voluntarily or involuntarily, are among the prime concerns of any undergraduate programme. A clear understanding of the reasons for voluntary discontinuation of programs is needed to minimize such incidences. The objectives of this study were to analyze the rates of and reasons for the voluntary discontinuation and to determine the timelygraduation rates of the undergraduates who followed the degree programs in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. The study collected information about the students who left threedegree programs; namely BSc Agricultural Resources Management and Technology (AT), BSc Green Technology (GT), and BSc Agribusiness Management (AB). Of the total of 140 students who had discontinued the programmes during five academic years from 2012 to 2016, 100 students could be contacted over the phone. The faculty has experienced a 40% decline in student enrollment from 2012-2016. Of the total of 1085 students enrolled during five academic years, 140 (12.9%) had discontinued the programs midway, mainly in the first semester (72.8%), followed by the second (10.71%), and third (7.1%) semesters. Some left even at the fourth (6.42%) or fifth (0.71%) semesters. The discontinuation rate showed no clear trend across academic years or degree programs. According to the results, 50% reported that they left the programs to follow job-oriented professional courses such as Medical Laboratory Technicians, Pharmacists, Nursing Officers and Public Health Inspectors. Another one-third (34%) had left the program directly for a job. Three per cent of the respondents admitted that they enrolled on the program without knowing what the programme would exactly be and the academic environment they would experience. They reported discontinuing the program after realizing the gap between their expectations and reality. Another 2% were dissatisfied with university subculture related activities, while for 1%, personal commitments such as marriage was the reason for programme discontinuation. All reported that they are happy with the programme-discontinuation decision. The first-time graduation rate of the faculty was 82±9.6. The GT (90.5%) had a higher firsttime graduation rate than AT (78.9±0) and AB (78.1±7.0). It was revealed that financial difficulties and insecure job prospects for the graduates are the primary causes of programme discontinuation. The study highlights the need for strategies to increase the timely graduation rates.