Reducing distance learners’ attrition rate at the University of Cape Coast: tutors’/students’ perception

Abstract

The goal of distance education in Ghana is to make quality education, especially at the tertiary level, more accessible and relevant to meeting the human resource needs of the country. This is to improve performance as well as the quality of the lives of Ghanaians. This dream can only be realised if students enrolled in the programmes graduate on schedule. Currently, the number of students enrolled in the distance education programme at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) is over 24 000. However, for various reasons, not every student that enrols in the programme graduates on schedule. This paper examines tutors’ and students’ perceptions of the attrition rate of distance learners. The survey research method was used to gather data and an analysis was done using frequency count, simple percentages, mean and standard deviation. Factors identifi ed as causes of attrition and measures to reduce the problem were signifi cant, as perceived by tutors and learners. However, this paper concludes that the complexity of the causes of attrition and measures to reduce it, allow for few practical solutions. Most of the signifi cant causes were evolutionary issues that can be resolved as time goes on through improvements in technology, effective course design, better understanding of learner characteristics and appropriate learner support systems. Some recommendations were made as interim measures to help reduce the high attrition rate among distance learners at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).