Reflexiones sobre la deserción y la mortalidad estudiantil en las universidades colombiana : Un debate necesario

Abstract

This essay states that, owing to the complexity of the factors involved, the problem of students leaving university and student failure must be analyzed from four perspectives: (1) primary and secondary education; (2) the family and social environment; (3) the student as a person; and (4) universities. Each of these aspects is treated taking into account situations and reflections that support the author's point of view. He highlights the need to focus on the problem from a different stand to the one traditionally adopted by universities, that is, disregarding its causes and consequences, minimizing its importance, or simply accepting the need to do something, but avoiding changes in institutional and educational policies and practices. However, there have been some institutions that have been researching about the problem and have already begun taking particular measures to focus on it. The essay suggests a range of actions that could be taken to provide integral solutions to the problems associated with university student failure