Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities (Dec 2023)
Student Academic Performance in the South African Institution of Higher Learning: Issues and Challenges
Abstract
The study investigated student performance at the police practice department in the college of law at the university of South Africa in order to develop improvement strategies and to address high failure rate as well as prevent student drop-out rate. Research indicates lack of support, socio-economic factors, adaptation from classroom environment to open-distance learning as contributing factors to high failure and drop-out rates. A sample of 350 undergraduate students, representative from various backgrounds were selected using stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire that employed a 4-point Likert scale was used for data collection. Focus groups interviews as well as individual interviews with students were also conducted. Data was collected through document analysis and semi-structured individual interviews. Data was analysed using Atlas-ti and SPSS. MyUnisa system was also used as a source for statistical analysis. The results indicate a high failure rate among young students from previously disadvantaged background compared to old and working students. Results further showed that there is a link between student performance and drop-out patterns by first-time students at higher institutions of learning. This paper seeks to explore student [pass, failure and dropout rate] at the police practice department at the Unisa.
