PETALING JAYA: More than 30,000 students in public universities in the country have dropped out since the pandemic up until 2021, says higher education minister Noraini Ahmad.
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In a written parliamentary reply, she said 13,291 students, or 2.27%, were recorded as failing to complete their studies in 2020, out of the 583,576 who were enrolled at the time.
There was a slight increase the following year, with 17,613 students, or 2.99%, dropping out from the 589,879 studying at the time.
In total, 30,904 students dropped out in 2020 and 2021.
The data for 2022 will only be published early next year.
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She said the main factors identified were the students’ health or personal issues, failing in exams or failure to enrol for subjects.
Noraini said the ministry was concerned and was working on helping students overcome these issues. One of its initiatives was preparing facilities and financial aid to target groups, such as those from the B40.
“The ministry has also prepared academic intervention programmes and non-academic programmes, such as counselling, motivational programmes and mentorships, to assist students in completing their studies,” she said.
She was replying to Noor Amin Ahmad (PH-Kangar), who had asked for the number of public university students who had dropped out since March 2020.-FMT