Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
52 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the dramatic rise in school drop out rates in recent years, in particular the CSO finding that over 5% of 15 year olds left school in 2002 compared to 3.6% in 1996; the way in which she intends to deal with this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30515/04]
View answerThe most recent published analysis by my Department of retention rates at second level was released in August 2003. This report indicates that of those pupils who commenced the junior cycle programme in September 1994 approximately 3,900, 5.7%, left school before completing the junior certificate three years later and approximately 12,500, 18.2%, left school without the leaving certificate.
Reports on the 1995 and 1996 cohorts are currently being prepared by my Department and it is expected these will be finalised in spring 2005. These reports will allow for further analysis and comparison of trends in retention at second level. There is no evidence however to suggest that drop out rates have increased significantly in recent years.
The Government's commitment to tackling early school leaving is reflected in the national anti-poverty strategy, the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion 2003-2005, and the latest social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, which contains a special initiative on tackling educational disadvantage: literacy, numeracy and early school leavers.
My Department's ongoing response to the issue of early school leaving comprises legislative measures such as the Education Welfare Act 2000, which established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance, curricular reforms such as the junior certificate support programme and the leaving certificate applied and preventative interventions such as the school completion programme and the home school community liaison scheme.
53 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who leave school without completing the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30468/04]
View answerThe most recently published analysis by my Department of retention rates at second level was released in August 2003. The report indicates that of those pupils who commenced the junior cycle programme in September 1994, approximately 12,500, 18.2%, left school without the leaving certificate.
My Department's commitment to tackling early school leaving is reflected in the national anti-poverty strategy, the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion 2003-2005, and the latest social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, which contains a special initiative on tackling educational disadvantage: literacy, numeracy and early school leavers.
My Department's approach to addressing the issue of early school leaving comprises legislative and curricular reforms as well as preventative interventions. The Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which was fully commenced on 5 July 2002 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. To discharge its responsibilities, the board is developing a nationwide service that is accessible to schools, parents-guardians and others concerned with the welfare of young people.
With regard to curriculum reform, my Department's strategies have included widening the educational experience available to students. These strategies aim to achieve a greater level of inclusiveness in curricular provision for both boys and girls through such programmes as the junior certificate schools programme, JCSP, the leaving certificate vocational programme, LCVP, and the leaving certificate applied, LCA.
The school completion programme aims to have a significant positive impact on levels of pupil retention in primary and post-primary schools and on the numbers of pupils who successfully complete senior cycle. The focus of the programme is on young people between the ages of four and 18 years and aims to develop local strategies to ensure maximum participation levels in the education process. The programme is based on an integrated cross-community approach to tackling educational disadvantage, involving primary and post-primary schools, parents, communities and relevant statutory and voluntary agencies.
Amounts of €23 million and €23.5 million were allocated to the school completion programme in 2003 and 2004 respectively. A total €24 million is provided for the programme in the Estimates for 2005. My Department is currently finalising a review of educational disadvantage schemes with a view to building on what has been achieved to date, adopting a more systematic, targeted and integrated approach and strengthening the capacity of the system to meet the educational needs of disadvantaged children and young people. The future position in relation to the expansion of retention schemes will be clarified in the context of this review.
