[eluser]tkyy[/eluser]
use this to build your dropdown list, instead of the ci validation (replace your variables)
Code:
<?php
$o=null; foreach($programs_list as $option)
{
if($_POST['program']==$option) $sel=' selected="selected"'; else $sel=null;
$out .= "<option value='$option'$sel>$option</option>\n";
}
echo $out;
?>