Reasons for Students’ Absenteeism from Lectures in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Delta and Edo States of Nigeria: The Students’ Views

Abstract

Students’ absenteeism from lectures in tertiary institutions is a universal phenomenon which apparently transcends beyond countries, institutions and course disciplines. This study explored the views of 156 students from Colleges of Education, Polytechnic and Universities from Delta and Edo States on the reasons for their absenteeism from lectures. A survey research design and a 20-item Likert questionnaire were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS-23 computer package. The results showed the following, as strong reasons for absenteeism from lectures.

• Poor students’ personal dispositions (e.g., laziness/lack of self-motivation to study, X = 3.13: emotional trauma, X = 3.13).
• Societal problems (e.g. dependence on examination mal-practice and bribery for success in examinations, X = 3.12).
• Health Issues (e.g., Sickness/weakness, X = 3.09).
• Lecturer-factors (e.g., boring teaching methods X = 3.04).
• Peer pressure, (e.g., distracting peer influences X = 3.03).
• Poverty related factors (e.g., hunger and lack of food X = 2.80).

v  Environmental factors (e.g., availability of the course materials in the library/internet sources X = 2.64).

The results further suggested that gender and age-range of students had no influence on their views. Recommendations are based on comprehensive ideas that are humanistic, technical and employ digital technology.