Factors Affecting Students' Decision to Drop Out in Distance Learning during the Pandemic

In direct response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all, this investigation assesses the contributing factors to student attrition in distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic at Bohol Island State University-Bilar Campus across the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 academic years. Recognizing education as a crucial lifeline, particularly in crisis situations as emphasized by the United Nations Statistics Division, and its central role in economic and social advancement, this study addresses pressing challenges such as increased dropout rates exacerbated by the pandemic, especially in developing countries. The research objectives are threefold: to gauge the extent of technological, familial, personal, and course-related factors influencing students' decision to discontinue distance learning; to examine the variance in these factors relative to student demographics; and to determine the predictive significance of student profiles on these dimensions. Methodologically, the study utilizes a rigorously pilot-tested survey, analyzing the data through a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics—including weighted means and MANOVA—to uncover that technological constraints and familial issues are predominant determinants for dropout, whereas personal inclinations and course-related factors hold moderate significance. Results indicate that factors such as unreliable internet connectivity, economic hardships, and a preference for traditional classroom settings were prevalent among respondents who also experienced heightened stress and anxiety. The study reveals no predictive relationship between age or gender and the likelihood of dropout, thereby reinforcing the necessity for more nuanced, multidimensional strategies to mitigate educational disruption and uphold the ideals set by SDG 4.