Managing attrition in open and distance learning: learner insights for information-driven retention strategies

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) provides flexible, accessible, and cost-effective education, yet student attrition remains a persistent challenge with significant implications for learners and institutions. This study explores the key factors contributing to dropout among former students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants. Thematic analysis revealed eight major contributors: self-regulation, personal circumstances, teaching quality, environmental factors, emotional pressures, financial barriers, communication challenges, and technological constraints. Findings underscore the interplay between individual, institutional, and structural factors shaping persistence in ODL. Building on an information management perspective, the study proposes targeted strategies, including structured learning analytics, adaptive scheduling, enhanced teaching quality, and socio-technical support mechanisms. By integrating technological, pedagogical, and student-support dimensions, these interventions offer a holistic framework to improve retention, reduce attrition, and foster equitable and sustainable ODL ecosystems.