Combating Absenteeism and Truancy through Interventions: A Case of Higher Education Students at Botho University

Abstract

This paper provides a systemic remedial approach to the issues of truancy and absenteeism in tertiary institutions by means of action research (AR). Using Botho University in Botswana as a model for the study, the authors highlight the pivotal role student attendance and positive engagement in classroom activities have in a given student’s academic progression and intellectual prowess. A review of negative implications associated with absenteeism and truancy is conducted and a consensus reached on the adoption of check & connect and other multimodal approaches in effectively reducing truancy and absenteeism. The evidence presented in the paper motivates the effectiveness of multimodal approaches coupled with an incentive-based reward system in gauging, controlling, and reducing the issue of truancy and absenteeism