The Role of Student Support Systems in Student Integration and Persistence at a TVET College in South Africa

Abstract

Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVETs) accommodate students from different backgrounds. The diversified student populace encounters challenges that interfere with their integration process and persistence. TVET colleges need to establish a conducive environment that fosters student integration and persistence through student support systems. This qualitative case study comprised three focus groups (18 Students) and student support staff (11) at one TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The obstacles to student integration and persistence are investigated in this case study. The study also explored the various strategies that can be implemented to improve student integration. It emerged from the study that it is necessary for the institution to establish student support services that seek to eliminate obstacles that inhibit student integration and persistence to ensure student success. It was further noted that the institution’s student support system could not sufficiently address the factors that inhibit student integration and persistence. The paper’s findings indicate that several strategies, such as improvement in infrastructure and recruiting more qualified staff, could improve student integration and persistence at the TVET College in question.