Abstract

A quantitative exploratory and descriptive study was carried out to provide information on the effects of the Pandemic in the permanence of the student population of 10 majors in the University of Costa Rica, to aid the decision-making process of university authorities. The information was collected through an on-line questionnaire available to the students between December 2020 and January 2021. A total of 974 students volunteered to participate. The results evidenced that in the 1st and 2nd cycles of 2020, there were difficulties regarding remote learning: 95% had internet connectivity problems, 95% had difficulties to adapt to the learning process, 75% had limitations to access software to carry out academic evaluations, 89% had difficulties to interact in group works. Furthermore, 98% reported stress levels and 95% anxiety. The permanence was prolonged because 46% decreased their academic burden, 40% reported falling behind in their course plan because the major did not offer some courses, and 20% withdrew or abandoned at least one class. Four percent of the population decided not to enroll on the 1st cycle of 2021, and 12% had not yet decided. These data make evident that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the permanence of the student body of the university, and institutional efforts must be implemented to help students finish their studies and graduate.

Keywords higher education; pandemic; permanence; right to education