Understanding Retention Challenges at Apayao State College: Towards Institutional Interventions

Student retention has been a critical issue in Higher Education Institutions. Students face various challenges as they journey in the completion of their tertiary education. This study investigated six (6) students who shifted to other course and/or transferred to other learning institution. A qualitative research, using Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA) enabled the researcher to determine the motivations, challenges and factors influencing the students to shift courses and/or transfer to other schools. Data were gathered through one-on-one in-depth interviews. An interview guide was used in obtaining data from the students-respondents. Data were transcribed, coded, and categorized to obtain the results of the study. The themes identified based on the motivations to enroll were: proximity and convenience, family/peer/guidance influence, circumstantial enrollment/lack of alternatives; on challenges experienced by the students: pre-enrollment guidance and decision making, academic preparedness and progression, faculty expertise and quality; on factors influencing students to shift and/or transfer: financial constraints, academic difficulty and performance, and impact of external factors. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the administration may bolster the conduct of information drive, enhance and strengthen the admission and retention policies, revisit and reinforce hiring process of faculty, support for on-line class. Institutionalize Student Aide Program and strengthen municipal and provincial Scholarships programs.