Factor Influencing Student Drop-Out From The Open University in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study attempted to determine the factors influencing student drop-outs from the Open University and to identify the weaknesses which could have caused students to drop out. It also tried to draw up a profile of the students who dropped out and those who continued .studying at the Open University. Data were gathered from 108 student drop-outs, 102 continuing students enrolled in 1984-1986, and 20 tutors. The respondents were selected through random sampling by using the Slovin's formula. Percentage, Yate's correction chi-square test, regression analysis, and correlation coefficient were used in data analysis. The findings showed that course, environmental and motivational factors were found to be significantly related with student drop-outs from the Open University. The main weaknesses of the Open University was the lack of relationship between students and tutor and among the students themselves. Other defects were lack of tutorial classes, few TV/radio program, overloading of course materials, course level and high evaluation standard. However, the profile of the students who dropped out from the Open University showed that most of the had low grades, had enrolled for one semester only, and had failed in SIPENMARU exam (national selection exam to enter state university). In addition,they had low motivation; they were not proud to be students of Open University, and had enrolled only to use their idle time or to look for experience On the other hand, most of the continuing students were officials who enrolled at the Open University to improve their knowledge and skill, beside aspiring for promotion and change for a better job