High drop-out rates in the higher education system are a cause of concern to everyone with a stake in society. Students lose out on time, expense and self-confidence. The economy is deprived of an educated workforce. Colleges end up with damaged reputations and the loss of vital resources.
This is why research that shows up to 80 per cent of students in some third-level courses are failing to progress into second-year is a cause for alarm. The problem is particularly acute in higher certificate and ordinary degree courses offered at institutes of technology. Some universities, however, are also struggling to tackle high non-progression rates.
A report to be published later this year by the Higher Education Authority raises particular concern over the numbers failing to progress in maths-related courses such as computer science. This is because there is a severe skills shortage of specialists in this sector, while there are national policies to boost the number of graduates in this field over the coming year.
Research indicates the reasons behind dropping out can be varied. The cost of college, health problems and motivation are all factors. But the single biggest reasons, studies show, is that students made the wrong choice.
These drop-out rates pose troubling questions for the wider education system. Students, in many cases, are not academically prepared for the rigours of third-level. This is especially true in maths-related courses, where increasing numbers require additional support. Access to quality career guidance for aspiring students is clearly an issue. That drop-out rates are high in low points courses indicates that we are not putting enough focus on alternative paths like apprenticeships.
It is vitally important the education system at second and third-level addresses these issues. If serious about creating a knowledge economy and competing globally, we must have a higher education system which maximises the potential of all our students. The grim alternative is simply more thwarted ambition and wasted talent.