Student persistence in higher education : a study of the challenges and achievements of a group of historically disadvantaged senior students studying at the University of the Western Cape

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Students from impoverished economic backgrounds have the highest drop‐out rateswithin the higher education sector. Research conducted both locally andinternationally reveals that there are several variables that influence a student'sdecision to leave the higher education institution. Very little research hasconcentrated on why students from deprived backgrounds advance academically orwhat enables them to do so.In South Africa, numerous changes have been introduced on the social, economicand educational fronts in attempts to correct the inequality prevalent in the country.In education, various changes and programmes have been introduced. Increasingaccess to higher education for poor black students has been one of the primary goalsof change within that sector. The results, though, are alarming. Despite thisincreased access, many continue to drop out; the reasons are varied.Some, however, do stay. This research was aimed at finding out what contributed toa group of poor black students' advancing academically when many of their peershad dropped out. There is no theory of what these factors could have been.Although the researcher realises that the results of this study will not begeneralisable, it is an important discussion to initiate if we as South Africans trulywant to support disadvantaged students entering higher education institutions.Without attempts to find adequate support structures, many will continue to be letdown by the system.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University