Absenteeism and dropout of students in the university career

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The study explores the rising issue of absenteeism and dropout rates among university students in Panama, particularly in private institutions. It highlights the dual nature of absenteeism as both voluntary and involuntary, exacerbated by the shift back to in-person classes in 2022. Through qualitative interviews with 1008 students, four primary reasons for absenteeism were identified: a preference for virtual learning, difficulty arriving on time, the choice of night schedules, and exhaustion from daytime jobs. The findings suggest that while absenteeism stems from non-economic factors, dropout is primarily driven by economic challenges.