A Qualitative Study on Barriers in Learning Opportunities in Ecuadorian Higher Education

The university context is increasingly complex and diverse. Students’ individual circumstances in particular, whether personal or relating to family and work, are increasingly challenging. They are affecting their academic development or even leading to them dropping out of university. The objective...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Societies (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-02, Vol.13 (3), p.56
Main Authors: Silva-Martínez, Gardenia, Iglesias-Martínez, Marcos Jesús, Lozano-Cabezas, Inés
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Adaptation
College students
Colleges & universities
discussion group
dropout
Education
Education parks
Education, Higher
Educational research
Equal opportunity
Families & family life
Higher education
Higher education institutions
Learning
Lifelong learning
Prediction of scholastic success
Qualitative analysis
Qualitative research
Reconciliation
School dropouts
School facilities
Socioeconomic factors
Student retention
Students
Teachers
university
University students
Work and family
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Summary:The university context is increasingly complex and diverse. Students’ individual circumstances in particular, whether personal or relating to family and work, are increasingly challenging. They are affecting their academic development or even leading to them dropping out of university. The objective of this study was to identify the obstacles to the completion of university studies based on students’ perspectives. Adopting a qualitative approach, we analysed the narratives of randomly selected students at UTE University of Santo Domingo (Ecuador). The main barriers identified by the students were the lack of reconciliation between academic and/or work life and family, as well as schedule incompatibilities—making it difficult for them to attend class. Participants also noted that teachers usually failed to incorporate curricular adaptations according to students’ personal or professional circumstances, which prevented them from experiencing a normal learning process like their classmates. To conclude, factors that continue to interfere with students’ university trajectories include the following: insufficient financial resources, family reconciliation issues, and lack of institutional support. Higher Education Institutions should therefore promote strategies and/or provide resources that guarantee equal opportunities for university students and contribute to the development of lifelong learning.
ISSN:2075-4698
2075-4698
DOI:10.3390/soc13030056