Problems faced by undergraduates in the learning environment: some evidences from a Sri Lanka university

Even though, universities are considered as excellent centres for education, some students are unable to gain its full benefits due to various reasons. One of the decisive factors is the way of learning environment is organized. This paper attempts to analyze the contributing factors of university learning environment on undergraduates’ problems. Although classrooms related factors as well as outside factors are included in the learning environment, this paper discusses mainly about contributing factors outside the classroom. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from a sample of 466 students of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. A questionnaire survey was mainly used for primary data collection. Data were descriptively analysed using elementary statistics. The study found that the majority of students faced education institutional related problems, particularly accommodation, food and nutrition, medium of instructions, library facilities, financial assistance, and teacher student relationship.

Sri Lanka Journal of Advanced Social Studies, 2013; Vol 3(1); Page 77-100