The document summarizes a study on student dropout rates in an Advanced Certificate in Pre-School Education program in Sri Lanka. It outlines the objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions of the study. The study found that the dropout rate was 19.9% between 2000-2009. The main reasons for dropping out included inability to submit assignments or projects, failure to pass examinations, and personal/family difficulties that prevented students from completing the program. Recommendations focused on improving program structure, student support services, and providing opportunities for further education.

1. Study on students dropout in Advanced Certificate in Pre school Education Program T.V.S.De Zoysa D.M.W.Munasinghe P.Seneviratne T.Mukunthan 14.09.2011

9. Nature of the problem Academic Year Registered Students Sinhala medium English medium Passed Out Not Completed Drop Outs 2000/2001 201 164 37 129 36 36 2001/2002 183 148 35 115 44 24 2002/2003 140 98 42 78 33 29 2003/2004 160 124 36 87 28 45 2004/2005 176 155 21 101 46 29 2006/2007 264 147 117 87 124 53 2007/2008 247 128 119 99 102 46 2008/2009 227 77 150 68 103 56 TOTAL 1598 1041 557 764 516 318 % 100 65.14 34.86 47.81 32.29 19.90

15. Sample Academic Year No. Dropouts 2000/2001 36 2001/2002 24 2002/2003 29 2003/2004 45 2004/2005 29 2005/2006 Not Conducted 2006/2007 53 2007/2008 46 2008/2009 56 Total 318

18. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Sex Sex Frequency Percentage Male 03 3.2 Female 91 96.8 Total 94 100

19. Age Age Range Frequency Percentage 18-25 years 09 9.6 26-35 years 47 50.0 36-45 years 26 27.7 46-50 years 06 6.4 Above 50 years 05 5.3 Not mention 01 1.0 Total 94 100

20. Sex and Civil Status Sex Civil Status (No.) Total Married Unmarried Married and separated Widowed Male 02 00 01 00 03 Female 61 28 01 01 91 Total 63 28 02 01 94

21. Ethnicity Ethnicity Frequency Percentage Sinhala 85 90.4 Tamil 04 4.3 Muslim 04 4.3 Others 01 1.1 Total 94 100

22. Type of Employment Type of employment Frequency Percent Pre-School 42 44.7 Daycare 05 5.3 Own preschool/Day care 18 19.1 Work relevant to Early Childhood 02 2.1 Not employed 27 28.7 Total 94 100

23. Problems Faced in Following the Programme Problems Responses Yes No NO % NO % Difficulties in finding time for studies 41 44 53 56 Financial problems when following the programme 11 12 83 88 Health problems when following the programme 23 24 71 76 Not psychologically motivated to follow the programme 12 13 82 87

24. Student Perceptions of Lesson Materials (modules) Student Perceptions Strongly Agree Agree Can’t say Disagree Strongly Disagree No Response % % % % % % Quality of content very high 23.4 52.1 2.1 6.4 0 17 Content is presented methodically 18.1 55.3 8.5 3.1 0 14.9 A sufficient number of activities are integrated 13.8 40.4 11.7 14.9 2.1 17 Language is simple and understandable 22.3 52.1 3.2 7.4 1.1 13.8 Modules are not attractive 10.6 34 13.8 20.2 1.1 20.2

25. Student Perceptions of Day Schools Student perceptions Strongly Agree Agree Can’t say Disagree Strongly Disagree No Response % % % % % % Sufficient no of Day Schools were conducted 14.8 43.6 8.5 15.9 1 15.9 Day schools were very useful 31.9 41.5 5.3 2.1 2.1 17 Learning problems were discussed at Day School 17 41.5 8.5 13.8 2.1 17 Peer interactions were promoted 16 43.6 10.6 8.5 3.2 18.1 Tutors who conducted day schools motivated students 15 43 12.8 6.4 4.3 19.1

27. Family Related Factors Family Related Factor Responses Yes NO No. % No. % No support from my family members 25 27 69 73 Heavy responsibilities looking after young children 36 38 58 62 Heavy responsibilities looking after my parents 29 31 65 69

28. Occupation Related Factors Factors Responses Yes No Heavy responsibilities towards the job 31 63 Insufficient time to engage in studies 32 62 The programme is not related to the job 19 75 Difficulties in managing multiple role (such as being a mother, employed person and a student etc) 34 60

29. Administration Related Factors Factor Yes NO Not Mention Total Quality of departmental coordination work was high 50 35 09 94 Opportunities to communicate with the internal staff members 45 40 09 94 Quality of the administrative procedures of the university related to the programme was high 29 12 12 94

30. Main Reasons for Dropping Out Main reasons No. % Not submitting assignments 13 14 Failure to obtain eligibility 14 15 Not prepared for the final examination 27 29 Unable to submit the project 30 32 Not mentioned 10 10 Total 94 100

31. Major Reasons for dropping out from the programme Reasons No. A. Personal & family related factors 22 B. Difficulties faced in Project 20 C. Difficulties faced in examinations 19 D. Difficulty in finding time 12 E. Difficulties related to assignments 05 F. Difficulties face due to the distance from home to the Regional Centre, 05 G. Dissatisfaction with the programme 03

32. Submission of the Project and Pass Rates Projects N0 % Submitted and passed 36 38 Submitted and failed 12 13 Not Submitted 30 32 Not mentioned 16 17 Total 94 100

33. Points at which Students Dropped Out Specific point No. % Just after registration 09 10 After 2-3 months 15 16 In the middle 15 16 At the end 30 32 After failing the Examination 20 21 Not mentioned 05 05 Total 94 100

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