Determinants of Student Absenteeism in Higher Education: Evidence from Khwopa College

Abstract

Student absenteeism is a significant problem in higher education which impact learning and academic achievement. This study examined the determinants affecting students’ absenteeism in Khwopa College. This research focused on personal, academic, institutional, environmental, and motivational factors. A systematic questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The research concluded that students are mostly satisfied with the academic environment of Khwopa College. The findings show that increasing academic and institutional support along with high student motivation help to enhance regular attendance. The results indicate that academic and institutional factors including instructional quality, supportive faculty, explicit attendance regulations and a conducive classroom climate, substantially reduced absenteeism. Motivational factors, encompassing students' attitudes, involvement, and intrinsic motivation, also exert a beneficial influence on attendance. Conversely, personal factors such as health issues or familial responsibilities and external environmental factors, including financial, weather or transportation issues, were not significant when evaluated with other variables. The model explained a small percentage of absence variation indicating that additional factors may be influential, hence necessitating more investigation and context specific approaches. The research highlighted actionable recommendations for enhancing teaching quality and student engagement while also identifying possibilities for future research in Nepalese higher education. These results suggest that in order to improve regular attendance and academic achievement institutions should enhance student motivation, institutional support and teaching quality. Additionally, the study offers useful suggestions and identifies potential areas for further research in Nepalese higher education.