Written answers

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Department of Education and Science

Early School Leavers

10:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the tracking systems in place to ensure that students do not fall through the net between primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24691/08]

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the provisions in place to track early school leavers; the numbers of students who have left school early in the academic years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24692/08]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.

My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling early school-leaving. The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework, promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognized school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The Board operates through 5 regional teams, with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. A service is provided from 26 locations nationwide.

Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) are appointed and deployed throughout the country to discharge the Board's functions locally. EWOs employ a welfare oriented approach in the interests of the children and young people who do not attend school regularly, working collaboratively with schools and other agencies in meeting the needs of the children and the young people concerned. It is encouraging to note research findings that attendance at school in the areas where EWOs are working intensively improved by 4% in 2004/05 compared with the previous year.

Enhancing attendance, progression, retention and attainment are central to DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, which is being implemented at present. This is the first time that an integrated educational inclusion strategy has been developed for 3-18 year olds in the State. DEIS represents a shift in emphasis away from individual initiatives, each addressing particular problems, to a multifaceted and more integrated approach. Additional supports are being targeted at children in the most disadvantaged schools to encourage them to stay in school. The key principle of early intervention, to identify and help children at risk of leaving school early, is a major component of the Plan.

Working with parents to promote school attendance and retention is an important part of the work of the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL). In addition to this, the School Completion Programme is developing strong links between primary and post-primary schools in disadvantaged areas. These are two preventative measures designed to combat issues of poor attendance and early school leaving. Children at risk of early school leaving are targeted under the School Completion Programme for a variety of extra supports aimed at encouraging them to stay in school. The supports cover both educational and non-educational interventions and are provided during and outside of school time. The Home School Community Liaison Scheme works to involve parents in their children's education which is a crucial component in convincing young people of the value of education.

Under DEIS, a continuing emphasis will be placed on the development of effective transfer programmes for pupils making the transition to second-level, by building on the existing work of HSCL scheme and the School Completion Programme in this area. Initiatives such as Familiarisation Days and week-long transfer programmes for new entrants to second level have been shown to have very positive results in helping children to make a smooth transition to their new school. Other measures facilitated through the DEIS action plan include extending access to Schools' Business Partnerships, school meals, guidance counselling and student councils. Increased integration is also being promoted between the work of second level schools and centres catering for young early school leavers, particularly Youthreach Centres and Senior Traveller Training centres. This Government has shown a sustained commitment to providing greater opportunities in the further education sector by supporting second chance educational opportunities for young people who leave school.

The range of curricula available to students has also been extended to include the Junior Certificate Schools Programme, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. These options provide an alternative for many children who might otherwise opt out of formal education at an early stage.

In relation to the Deputy's particular question the latest data available on school leavers is the ESRI school leaver survey, conducted in 2006 and covering the 2003/2004 cohort of leavers. The survey shows that 82% of the cohort left having completed upper second level education, 14% of leavers had completed lower second level education. In addition, my Department published a statistical report in March 2008 tracking the retention rates of over 60,000 pupils who started their second level education in 1999. Almost 84% of these pupils completed second level compared with just over 81% three years earlier. It is the third such report tracking pupil retention and the trend is showing yearly improvements in retention rates.

The report provides data on pupils who entered the first year of the junior cycle in 1997, 1998 and 1999, most of whom completed their senior cycle five to six years following the year of intake. The reports do not take into account students pursuing other educational pathways such as Youthreach or apprenticeship training. Section 29 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 provides for the establishment and maintenance by the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) of a register of young persons aged 16 and 17 who leave school to take up employment. The purpose of the register is to ensure that the young people concerned continue to participate in education until they reach 18 years of age. The NEWB will in the near future conclude the establishment of the register and details of any early school leavers who contact the NEWB directly are recorded by the Board.

Work is ongoing to develop appropriate protocols for all agencies and services to work together and to ensure that optimum use is made of the resources deployed. I would like to assure the Deputy that through increased investment and improved services this government is determined to optimise access, participation and educational outcomes at every level of the system. It will continue to do all that is possible to ensure that every child gets all the opportunities and support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and participate fully in education.

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