 When higher education was first conceived it was elitist in it is very nature, accepting only the very brightest in society. However, with access in the past few centuries to primary and secondary school limited to the upper classes it resulted in a higher education system that was more an Ivory Tower of self perpetuating stereotypes viewed as a finishing school for the elites of society rather than a real place for academic excellence. However, in recent years the very mission of higher education has altered, with the development of the so-called “knowledge based society” and the massification of higher education. This has been highlighted through initiatives such as lifelong learning being integrated into HE and the greater emphasis on employability rather than scholarship. What has resulted is a higher education system that has rapidly expanded and shifted its mission without the structures, particularly surrounding access and ensuring completion, reforming to keep pace with this.
In some European countries there is already a tradition of institutions monitoring their access policies and to developing them to widen the participation and to diversify the student body, some even have retention and completion strategies. This is largely true in English speaking countries such as Canada, USA, UK and Australia. Whereas in other countries the institutions themselves do not work on access or completion, and see it as a state responsibility and therefore just monitor drop out rates rather than actively support the students.
However whilst it is important to ensure access to everyone, unless the current outdated structures are changed to support these students then they will simply drop-out. ”Dropping out” is not necessarily seen as an indication of failure by individual students, especially given the fact that in some countries the most common reason for dropping out is that the student has found attractive employment. High drop out rates may well indicate that the education system is not meeting the needs of its students. Students might not find that the educational programmes offered meet their expectations or they may not find enough support for success in Higher Education.
ESU's opinion on the matter
ESU encourages the democratisation of higher education, so that everyone will be able to access and succeed in higher education. Related Documents Links Contacts
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