Stakeholder management of student absenteeism at a TVET college in Tshwane North district

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate how a TVET college in Pretoria manages absenteeism among students. My rationale for the study was to reduce recurring absenteeism among students which results in lecturers not completing work scheduled for the week. The study adopted a qualitative case study within an Interpretivism paradigm. A sample of 14 participants was purposefully selected and drawn from TVET lecturers, heads of department (HoDs), student support officers and National Certificate Vocational (NCV) students experiencing high rates of absenteeism. The data were analysed thematically and synthesised to form themes which addressed the research questions. The findings of this study revealed factors contributing to student absenteeism to include personal factors, family factors, socioeconomic factors and institutional factors. However, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was found to be the main contributing factor owing to its late payments to students. The findings of the study further revealed that lecturers are finding it difficult to complete the syllabus on time. It is recommended that the college should have a nurse on campus, lecturers should stick to the syllabus, and the college should have accommodation and arrange transport for those students who live a long way from the college. When students apply to the NSFAS for assistance, this should be facilitated at the beginning of the academic year. It is further recommended that the policy be reviewed to make it mandatary for parents to be involved in their children’s education.