Why Do Students in Vocational and Technical Education Drop Out? A Qualitative Case Study

Abstract

The aim of this case study is to examine the economic, social, and cultural reasons behind the dropout of VE students. The participants of the study are 23 students included in accordance with the criterion sampling method. We gathered data with semi-structured interviews. Then we analyzed data with content analysis. Themes obtained as findings of the study are vocational habitus, capital agents, how to survive, and post-experience. As a finding of the study; while individual problems are the most emphasized problems experienced at school by the participants, economic reasons are the most emphasized reasons behind the dropping out of the students.

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Dropout
• Cultural capital
• Economic capital
• Social capital
• Vocational capital

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