Early school leavers cite abuse

ALMOST a third of participants in the Youth reach training programme for early school leavers are victims of difficult domestic or community environments involving violence, intimidation or sexual abuse, according to the programme co ordinator.

Some 28 per cent of 15 to 18 year olds on the programme are abusing alcohol or other substances and 27 per cent have been in trouble with the law. Six per cent of female participants were parents before they joined, and 10 per cent of girls left the programme due to pregnancy or the birth of a child.

The report, by the national coordinator, Mr Dermot Stokes, also shows that up to 5,500 young people leave school early each year without gaining any formal qualifications. This includes 4,000 who drop out before the Junior Certificate and 1,000 who leave straight from primary school. In 1991/92, a further 10,500 left school between Junior Certificate and the end of the senior cycle.

Up to 3,500 Youthreach places are provided annually. Participants are given basic training in numerary and communications skills, and encouraged to develop their self esteem and confront their learning difficulties.

Mr Stokes estimates that more than 10 per cent of young people on the programme are gifted, though not necessarily in ways recognised by the mainstream education system.

In an overview of the first six years of the programme, Mr Stokes says that 31 per cent of trainees left without completing the foundation phase. "Given the volatility of the target group, and the difficulties encountered by the education system, the figure of 31 per cent represents a considerable achievement," he adds.

A survey of former participants found that 92 per cent felt they had obtained useful skills during Youthreach. The report also finds that early school leavers' experience of school is not entirely negative, particularly in primary school. The significant detachment occurs at post primary level, it says.

Early school leavers are handicapped not only by a lack of skills and a lack of jobs, but also because they come from addresses considered "bad" by employers. Others come from families which are "notorious for one reason or another."

Other problems with the programme include shortages of teachers, lack of long term contracts for staff and lack of provision for 18 to 21 year olds.