Vol. 567 No. 5
256 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the success that has been achieved by Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, County Kilkenny, in reducing the number of students dropping out of school; if this school will be retained in the stay in school retention initiative in order that this work can continue; the reasons he has excluded some rural schools from this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/03]
Evidence generated from the pilot phases of the school completion programme shows that the most effective way of addressing educational disadvantage is through an integrated services approach based on the development of local strategies to ensure maximum participation levels in the education process. This prompted my Department to significantly expand the programme based on the project model rather than funding individual schools.
In 2002, a significant expansion of this programme took place with the introduction of 65 new projects in addition to the 17 existing projects. My Department also continued to support 53 second level schools under the 'stay in school retention' phase of the school completion programme as they were not selected for the project phase. At that time, it was decided to support these 53 Schools, which include Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny on a phasing-out basis to 31 August 2005. This involves providing 50% funding for the school year 2003-04 and 25% funding for 2004-05.
I am aware that some schools have been successful in reducing the number of students dropping out of school, but some schools have not. Therefore, my Department is currently reviewing the position in relation to the SSRI strand. Any decision to include SSRI strand schools in the school completion programme will be based on a selection process, which will take into account the latest available analysis of pupil retention rates at second-level. The 53 SSRI schools will be notified of the outcome of this review shortly.
