LATECOMERS AMONG STUDENTS IN A MALAYSIAN COLLEGE: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

In schools and colleges in Malaysia, the concept of time keeping is very important as every activity is scheduled for a particular time. This qualitative case study investigated the frequency of latecomers among students aged 18 in a public college with a 159-student population The study also focused on the associated reasons for coming late; and the dealing strategies employed by the college administrators in curbing this problem of tardiness among the students. The rationale for the study stems from the need to gain perspective of the zero-defect policy in the keeping up with punctuality among students and subsequently alleviate the problem of latecomers. The instruments employed in the collection of data include interviews with the College Senior Assistant for Students’ Affairs and the College Discipline Teacher; a document review of students’ attendance records. Results reflect the analysis of data recorded of the latecomers over the first three months of 2017 and the details recorded in the interviews with the college administrators. Emerging from the data are reasons associated with students late-coming behavior and the frequency of latecomers; the effective strategies employed in reducing the problem of tardiness among students in the college.