Exploring The Influence Of Cultural And Societal Factors On Student Success And Retention In Pakistani Higher Education

Abstract

The study investigates the intricate relationships that exist between socioeconomic and cultural factors and how these relationships impact students' success and retention in Pakistani higher education. Pakistan's diverse cultural landscape, coupled with its societal norms and expectations, provide for an intriguing educational setting that warrants further examination.

Focus groups and semi-structured interviews with academic administrators, instructors, and students from various Pakistani universities are used in this qualitative study. Purposeful sampling is used to guarantee representation across gender, socioeconomic backgrounds, and academic fields. In addition to the primary data, document analysis of academic records and institutional policies offered a comprehensive overview of the educational landscape.

Thematic analysis is used to look for patterns, themes, and narratives in the collected data. The qualitative data was uncovered through a rigorous process of coding and classification, offering important insights into the cultural and sociological factors th[1]at affect student performance and retention. The findings have demonstrated how societal expectations and cultural norms have a significant impact on student experiences, academic performance, and retention rates in Pakistani higher education.

Based on the findings, recommendations are given to support a welcoming and supportive learning environment. These include implementing support systems created especially to address the unique challenges faced by students in Pakistan's higher education system, promoting cultural understanding, and updating institutional norms.