A surreal image representing the connection between leisure, motivation, and achieving graduation success.

Unlocking Success: How Leisure and Lifestyle Impact High School Graduation Rates

Mira Elwood in Mind & Education June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into South African research reveals the surprising role of leisure activities and intrinsic motivation in preventing student dropout."

Education is globally recognized as a critical determinant of health and future success. Yet, in South Africa, the challenge of school dropout remains a significant hurdle. A study published in the South African Journal of Education sheds light on this pressing issue, exploring the factors that influence secondary school completion, with a particular focus on the impact of leisure activities and lifestyle choices.

The research highlights that only a fraction of students who begin Grade One manage to complete 12th Grade. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need to understand why students leave school prematurely and what interventions can effectively support them in staying the course.

This article delves into the key findings of the study, revealing the surprising connections between leisure, motivation, substance use, and the likelihood of high school dropout. It offers valuable insights for parents, educators, and policymakers seeking to create supportive environments that encourage academic success.

The Dropout Crisis: Unveiling the Numbers

A surreal image representing the connection between leisure, motivation, and achieving graduation success.

In South Africa, the statistics surrounding school dropout paint a concerning picture. The study emphasizes that approximately 60% of students who begin Grade One will not complete 12th Grade. By Grade 12, only about 52% of the age-appropriate population remains enrolled. These numbers highlight the magnitude of the challenge and the critical need for effective intervention strategies.

Historically, strategies like grade repetition have been used to address underperformance. However, revised regulations now limit learners to being retained only once between Grades 10-12. This shift necessitates a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to dropout beyond academic performance alone.

Substance Use: Research indicates a complex relationship between substance use and dropout. While cross-sectional studies often find higher rates of substance use among dropouts, longitudinal studies reveal a more nuanced picture, suggesting that other factors play a significant role.
Leisure and Motivation: The study uniquely explores the role of leisure experiences, highlighting that healthy leisure activities can act as a protective factor against dropout. Leisure motivation, particularly intrinsic motivation, emerges as a critical element in understanding adolescent behavior and its impact on academic outcomes.

This research leverages a survival analysis approach to identify specific risk factors associated with dropping out of secondary school. Survival analysis helps in understanding the timing of an event (in this case, dropping out) and the influence of various predictors over time.

Empowering Students for a Brighter Future

The insights gained from this study underscore the importance of comprehensive prevention programs that address both risk behaviors and leisure activities. By fostering intrinsic motivation and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement, educators, parents, and policymakers can create supportive environments that empower students to stay in school and achieve their full potential. Future research, especially qualitative studies, will be invaluable in further understanding the lived experiences of students who drop out, paving the way for more effective and targeted interventions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.15700/saje.v37n2a1353, Alternate LINK

Title: Predicting Secondary School Dropout Among South African Adolescents: A Survival Analysis Approach

Subject: Education

Journal: South African Journal of Education

Publisher: Education Association of South Africa

Authors: Elizabeth H. Weybright, Linda L. Caldwell, Hui (Jimmy) Xie, Lisa Wegner, Edward A. Smith

Published: 2017-05-31

Everything You Need To Know

What are the high school dropout rates in South Africa, and how does survival analysis help us understand this issue?

In South Africa, research indicates that roughly 60% of students who start Grade One do not complete Grade 12. Furthermore, only around 52% of the age-appropriate population is enrolled by Grade 12. The study uses survival analysis to understand when students are more likely to drop out and the factors that influence this timing.

How does substance use relate to high school dropout rates according to research conducted in South Africa?

The South African study reveals a nuanced relationship between substance use and school dropout. While cross-sectional studies often show higher rates of substance use among dropouts, longitudinal studies suggest that other factors play a more significant role. This suggests that substance use may be correlated with dropout rates, but other underlying issues may contribute more directly.

In what ways does 'leisure motivation', specifically 'intrinsic motivation', impact student dropout rates, based on the South African research?

The research uniquely emphasizes the role of 'leisure motivation', especially 'intrinsic motivation', as a protective factor against school dropout. Engaging in healthy leisure activities and having intrinsic motivation can positively impact adolescent behavior and academic success. Students who are intrinsically motivated are more likely to stay in school and perform well.

How have regulations regarding grade repetition changed, and what implications do these changes have on understanding student dropout?

Revised regulations now limit learners to repeating a grade only once between Grades 10-12. Previously, grade repetition was a common strategy to address underperformance. The shift towards limiting grade repetition necessitates a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to dropout beyond academic performance alone. This encourages exploration of other interventions like motivation and leisure activities.

What kind of future research is needed to better understand the experiences of students who drop out of school in South Africa, and why is it important?

Future research, particularly qualitative studies, is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of students who drop out of school. This would pave the way for more effective and targeted interventions. Understanding individual experiences will enable the design of supportive environments that address the root causes of dropout, beyond just academic factors.