Drop-Out Numbers to Soar
(27 Oct 2008)
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) is predicting education cutbacks will result in a significant increase in student drop-out before the Leaving Certificate. A number of specific programmes which promote student retention have been hit by the cuts.
The union predicts that, consistent with current trends, this ratio will be even higher in urban areas of socioeconomic disadvantage.
Statement from TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin:
"The catastrophic effect these cuts will have is becoming clearer with every day.
Latest figures show that one-in-five students does not stay to complete the Leaving Certificate. [1] Taking the Budget cuts into account, this already unacceptably high ratio is set to increase sharply in the coming years.
Cuts to the Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cert Schools Programme are a direct attack on those most vulnerable students whose retention within the system for both the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles is already an uphill struggle.
These vital programmes, along with capitation for Traveller students, have proven invaluable in retaining marginalised students. They promote and support retention through a variety of innovative learning experiences.
Based upon the reaction we are receiving from teachers and principals still reeling from the cuts, we estimate the cuts will directly result in a stark increase in the number of students not staying on to complete the Leaving Certificate cycle.
The removal of the facility to replace teachers absent on school business will also severely restrict the usage of field and study trips to complement the innovative education methodologies core to these programmes.
The crippling effect of the withdrawal of capitation funding for schools not in the DEIS programme will also exacerbate an already dire situation.
While the latest figures show that the overall retention of students until the Leaving Certificate was 80.5%, this figure was 72.1% for the Dublin City area. We believe that this rate will fall further in the coming years.
Withdrawal of funding for these initiatives will significantly restrict the capacity of already struggling schools to provide students with the mix of learning experiences that are crucial in enabling them to reach their potential.
A whole generation of marginalized young people have had their futures thrown into turmoil by these cuts."
Notes to the editor:
Current Retention Rates
Of the 60,786 students who entered first year of second level education in 1999, just 80.5% stayed in the system to sit the Leaving Certificate. With regard to gender breakdown, 85.7% of females and 75.5% of males were retained.
In the Dublin City area, the overall percentage was considerably lower at 72.1%.
Cutbacks which will directly impact on drop-out rates
· Withdrawal of teacher posts under previous disadvantage schemes to non-DEIS schools.
· The ceiling of two on the number of language support teachers
· Substitution cover for absences arising from uncertified sick leave and school business
Withdrawal and Abolition of specific grants:
· Junior Certificate Schools Programme
· Leaving Certificate Applied
· LCVP
· Reduction in capitation funding for Travellers
· Withdrawal of capitation funding for schools not in the DEIS programme but in receipt of top-up funding under previous disadvantage initiatives.
· School book aid to non - DEIS schools.
[1] Retention of Pupils in Second Level Schools – 1999 Cohort (Dept of Education and Science document, March 2008)