THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ABSENTEEISM IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: THE CASE OF AN UNDER-PRIVILEGED PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITY, GILGIT-BALTISTAN OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the factors contributing to absenteeism among university undergraduates in a public sector university form an underprivileged region of Gilgit-Baltistan, the administrative province of Pakistan. Using quantitative approaches, a mix of stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used. A sample of 134 undergraduates from various faculties of social sciences and natural sciences were selected, keeping in view of the ratio of students in each faculty-departments as strata of the population. Various factors of absenteeism as indicated in literature were enlisted in the questionnaire for rating by participants in a scale of 1-10, measuring less relevant to highly relevant factor in their cases. It was found that “assignments” related factor was the most influential factors causing absenteeism. Students remained absent in order to complete heavy and lengthy assignments in due time. Whereas, the factor “children’s look after” was least indicated factor for absenteeism. University level students mostly have no kids of their own so it was understandable that this factor received the least rating, however they reported that they needed to attend to their old or sick parents at home which caused them remain absent from university classes. No statistically significant differences in the ratings were found between males and females. Likewise, no significant differences between students of Social science and Natural science were found. The study recommends university administrations for guidance and counselling, in addition to providing them alternative options of study.