Akdeniz University students investigation of school dropout cases

The aim of this study is to determine the school dropout status of Akdeniz University students. This research was prepared by mixed method. The quantitative part of the research consists of examining the data obtained from Akdeniz University Student Affairs and consisting of student information who left school in the last 5 years (2018-2023). In the qualitative part of the research, a semi-structured interview form consisting of questions prepared by the researchers was used as a data collection tool. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. The study group consists of 20 participants, including 14 students who left school at Akdeniz University Faculty of Education in the last 5 years and 6 administrators currently working at the university. Research results indicate the prevalence of school dropout in higher education. According to the findings of the research; At Akdeniz University, the number of active students has decreased in the last 5 years and the average school dropout rate is calculated as 10.7%. It has been observed that the school dropout rate of male students is higher than the school dropout rate of female students. In terms of faculties, the dropout rate is higher in the Faculty of Engineering and Theology; It was found that it was less in the Faculty of Medicine and Law. It has been determined that the reasons for school dropout at Akdeniz University in the last 5 years are: those who have completed the maximum education period, who have completed their maximum education period, who left the school at their own request, who are not seniors within the maximum period, who did not renew their registration, failure, other and by the decision of the board of directors, and that the most school dropouts were due to completing the maximum education period. It was determined that the participants stated economic reasons, school-related reasons and personal reasons as the reasons for leaving school. It was determined that the participants stated "financial difficulties and accommodation problems" as economic reasons. It was determined that the participants stated reasons such as "thinking that they will not be appointed, the attitude of the teaching staff, the inadequacy of the teaching methods applied and the inadequacy of the social environments" as the reasons for dropping out of school. It has been determined that they stated individual reasons such as "not choosing the department consciously, getting into other departments, students not being able to adapt to the school environment, starting to work as a civil servant, and marriage" as reasons for dropping out of school. The majority of the participants said that leaving school had a positive impact on them and explained this by stating that they entered business life early and had the opportunity to do the job they love. It was determined that the participants who stated that school dropout had a negative impact on them said, "I lost time, I could not achieve economic freedom and I could not do the job of my dreams." While some of the student participants stated that they received support from the school to prevent school dropout, the majority of them stated that they did not receive support, and the administrator participants stated that they did not make an effort to prevent students from dropping out. It has been determined that participants have suggestions on preventing school dropout: School guidance service should be supported, Scholarship opportunities should be increased, Job opportunities within the school should be increased, Accommodation problem should be solved, There should be a guarantee of appointment after graduation, Orientation studies should be taken into consideration, The duty area of consultants should be expanded.