Academic Counseling as a Pro-Active Retention Initiative at Open University Malaysia (OUM)

• Main Author: Latifah Abdol Latif
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education; LB2300 Higher Education; LG Individual institutions (Asia. Africa)
• Online Access: http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/94/1/Acad_Counseling_-seaair06.paper.pdf; http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/94/
• Institution: Open University Malaysia

A major challenge of open and distance learning (ODL) institutions, such as Open University Malaysia (OUM), is the high learner attrition rate. In this regard, OUM had initiated a number of interventions in trying to minimize this rate. One such intervention is academic counseling where Tutor Counselors, conduct face-to-face counseling sessions for “at risk” learners. This paper reports on the success of academic counseling conducted for “at risk” learners in two successive semesters at OUM. In terms of academic performance, a higher percentage of learners in the treatment group experienced an improvement in their CGPAs (54.0%) as compared to those of the control group (27.7%). In addition, 15.6% of learners in the treatment group achieved a CGPA>2.0, compared to only 6.7% of those in the control group. In terms of learner persistence, 71.5% of learners in the treatment group of September 2005 semester reregistered in January 2006 semester as compared to 42.2% of those in the control group. The study found that the reasons that influence learners’ academic performance are time management, work demands, lack of study skills, lack of proficiency in Mathematics and English, family and financial commitments. The study also indicated that “at risk” learners tend to exhibit an attitude of indifference towards their academic performance.