Estimaciones sobre la "repitencia" y deserción en la educación superior chilena. Consideraciones sobre sus implicaciones.

There are no research lines in Chile that address the problems of dropping out or delays that occur in higher education. Moreover, no known research is available on the economic and social problems that this issue causes to the state, the individuals involved and the institutions. By using very simple aggregate indicators –due primarily to the lack of organized information in the system– this paper attempts to determine the magnitude of the problem and answer some questions such as how much it costs the system to “produce” a professional and what is the ratio between students who enter higher education and those who actually end up getting a degree. The issues addressed in this paper are directly related with the selection systems used, the teaching models and information channels available to applicants when they have to make their choice on what to study. International research indicates that these are the most determining factors in terms of drop out rates.