Abstract This study examined undergraduate students’ perceptions of the implementation of the 80% attendance requirement for examination eligibility at Shanahan University. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 351 undergraduate students using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire. The survey assessed students’ awareness of the attendance policy, perceptions of its necessity and academic impact, barriers to lecture attendance, overall evaluation of the policy, and opinions on exemption allowances. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed a high level of awareness of the attendance policy (95.1%), indicating effective institutional communication. However, perceptions of the policy’s necessity were mixed, with 48.7% of respondents supporting the requirement, while others expressed neutrality or disagreement. A majority of students (57.9%) reported that the policy did not significantly improve their academic performance. Key barriers to lecture attendance included transportation challenges, health-related issues, academic workload, and timetable clashes. Although overall perceptions of the policy were moderately positive, a substantial proportion of respondents (71.1%) supported allowing exemptions for legitimate reasons. The study underscores the importance of implementing attendance policies that balance academic accountability with flexibility. The findings provide empirical evidence to inform institutional policy review and support the development of more equitable attendance frameworks in higher education.
Augustine Chinedu IHIM (Sun,) studied this question.