Department of Education initiatives lead to improved pupil retention rates in Cork - McGrath

Various Department of Education initiatives have led to an improvement in pupil retention rates in Cork City and County, according to Cork South Central T.D. Michael McGrath.

"Pupils who entered the second level education system would be expected to have completed their senior cycle in five to six years. According to the latest retention report published by the Department of Education, average retention rates to leaving certificate for Cork City and County for the 2001 entry cohort were 77% and 83% respectively. These figures represent an improvement on the position for the 1996 intake where retention rates for the City and County were 75% and 81% respectively. Data relating to the cohort of pupils who entered the first year of the junior cycle in 2002 and 2003 will be available later this year," according to Deputy McGrath.

"However, the current figures show that an average of one in five pupils who entered second level education in Cork in 2001 did not go on to complete their leaving certificate, and there is absolutely no room for complacency. It is clear that the Department of Education has made solid progress on the issue of pupil retention in recent years through a range of initiatives. The National Educational Welfare Board monitors school attendance rates and helps to get young people back to school. Other targeted initiatives include the School Completion Programme, Home School Community Liaison services, visiting teacher service for Travellers, additional funding for pupils at risk of early school leaving and alternative circular options.

"I am also advised by the Minister that, from 1st September, 2009, a single co-ordinated School Support Programme involving the Home School Community Liaison Scheme, the School Completion Programme and the Visiting Teachers Service for Travellers has been integrated under the National Educational Welfare Board. The Department has also widened the range of curricula available to students by promoting the Junior Certificate Schools Programme, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, and the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme in addition to the traditional Junior and Leaving Certificate curricula.

"I would encourage the Department to continue to give every possible support to families trying to keep their children in the education system. Hopefully, the figures out later this year will show further progress for retention rates in Cork and throughout the country," concluded Deputy McGrath.