Abstract

This research was to identify the risk behaviours and early warning signals for dropping out of students in Nigeria with particular reference to National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The research design used for this study was a descriptive survey via causal comparative technique to describe the current status of risk behaviour and early warning signals among NOUN students. The sample of 1,440 registered students was stratified randomly selected from 18 study centres in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A self designed 15 items questionnaire was used for the study. Percentile and chi square statistics via SPSS version.16 were used for the analysis. Fifteen hypotheses (behaviours) were formulated and the students were asked to indicate which among the test items were applicable to them. Four of these risk behaviours and early warning signals for dropping out of open and distance learning (ODL) behaviours were identified among significant number of NOUN students. The researcher went further to find out whether the gender of the students has a significant influence on their risk behaviour or not. The finding indicated that gender has no significant influence on students of NOUN risk behaviour. In conclusion therefore, the researcher suggested possible counselling proactive and preventive intervention strategies on how support staff especially student counsellors can help such students overcome these obstacles.

Key words: Risk, behaviour, warning, signals, dropping, out, open and distance learning, implications, counselling, attrition.