Twenty-sixth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

Nigeria desires increased medical education for the production of medical personnel for the nation’s hospitals. Government and other proprietors of medical schools have in the recent past made remarkable efforts to expand access to medical schools. One of such efforts is to increase the carrying capacities of medical schools in universities across the country. This notwithstanding, several students soon after enrollment in the schools withdraw from the programme. A high attrition rate can affect the academic reputation of a medical school, staff morale and even have unwholesome consequences on both the dropout and society. The study is to ascertain the rate of attrition and determine the cost implication in the University of Benin. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study that included quantitative analysis of completed cohorts in addition to qualitative analysis of ten-year data. Data were collected from individual students’ files, examination and admission records. Statistical analysis was carried out on six (6) successive cohorts. Quantitative data from the student files were transcribed and independently analysed. Based on data analysis, the attrition rate was 37.2% in 6 completed cohorts. Male students had the highest attrition rate (48.6%) compared to females (26.3%). The study recommended among others that the university management should formulate workable policies and ensure proper implementation to encourage retention of students in the medical school.