Written Answers. - School Leavers' Survey.
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:
30
Mr. E. Byrne
asked the
Minister for Education
the number of pupils who left school in 1994 without having obtained formal qualifications; the number of pupils on the Youthreach or similar programmes in 1994; the proposals, if any, she has to further reduce the number of pupils leaving school without qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[18794/95]
The 1995 ESRI Annual School Leavers' Survey which focuses on 1993-94 school leavers is currently being finalised. Preliminary data from the survey indicates that there has been a substantial decline in the numbers of leavers with no qualifications from a figure of 3,300 in 1992-93.
The average annual take-up of Youthreach places in the education sector was 1,563 in the year 1994, but the overall number of places was increased to 2,000 at the end of that year and a further expansion of 450 places is now taking place. This will bring the total provision in the education sector to 2,450 places, and this is complemented by approximately 900 additional foundation places funded by FÁS in Community Training Workshops.
Youthreach consists of a two year programme embracing a foundation period followed by a progression phase. The progression phase is provided by FÁS through participation in a range of vocational training options, and separate figures on this element of the programme are not available. However, an analysis of the destinations of those who completed the Foundation phase of the programme shows that 32 per cent progressed to employment, and 34 per cent progressed to further training.
Measures have been put in place which are designed to ensure the retention of young people in the school system. These include:
— the junior cycle schools programme, which is designed to meet the needs of a small proportion of pupils in the junior classes of second level schools who do not benefit from the junior certificate programme. This programme is being developed at pilot level for introduction, on an expanded basis, from September 1996.
The leaving certificate applied programme, which I introduced from September 1995, will prove an attractive option for those who find the existing senior cycle curriculum unsuitable.
One of the main objectives of educational policy is to encourage and facilitate as many students as possible to continue in full-time education after the end of the junior cycle. A major objective, as outlined in the White Paper on Education, is that the percentage of the 16-18 year old age group completing senior cycle will increase to at least 90 per cent by the year 2000. This objective will be achieved through providing an effective foundation of general education and a strengthened and expanded vocational orientation in a restructured senior cycle.
