UFR Economic Sciences and Management, Universite Gaston Berger, St Louis de Senegal, BP 333, DAKAR-RP, Senegal.
E-mail: sallmy@ufr-seg.org; http://www.ufr-seg.org

Abstract

The author focuses on the cost of student wastage and attrition rates. Based on data at the institutional level from the Université Gaston Berger at St Louis, Senegal, the article distinguishes between three types of wastages — repeating a year, academic failure and dropping out. Using a cohort methodology, student progress is traced across the first and second cycle of study, which in universities grounded in the French study structure, respectively, last 2 and 4 years. Estimates are made in CFA Francs of the cost failure and early leaving. The article calls for more comparative studies to be carried out on a compatible basis.