News item | 03-04-2023 | 08:15
Minister Dijkgraaf of Education has come up with a plan of attack to reduce the number of early school leavers in secondary vocational education (MBO). In the 2021-2022 academic year, there were 30,242 new early school leavers; the highest number in ten years. The main causes are (the aftermath of) corona and the tight labor market. With his plan of attack, Dijkgraaf also focuses on tackling structural causes; preventing dropouts through smooth progression if the wrong choice of study program is made, better supervision and more teaching space for students who would rather work than go to school.
In addition, will Dijkgraaf will take a broad look at the living environment of young people in relation to dropping out of an intermediate vocational education when elaborating the action plan – which will be published after the summer. Often, for example, debts and waiting for help with mental health problems are also reasons for dropping out. The minister is therefore also involving municipalities, schools and other ministries in the elaboration. The goal is to work towards fewer than 18,000 early school leavers by 2026.
Minister Dijkgraaf: “It is an eternal shame to see that young people choose not to continue their education for various reasons. Ultimately, an education or basic qualification provides something to hold on to in life; a future with more possibilities. I wish that for all young people. That is why a plan of attack is necessary. So that we help more young people to have a more secure existence.”
Causes and measures
Based on discussions with schools, students and municipalities throughout the country, a number of main causes can be identified for the increase in the number of early school leavers. Due to the large closure of MBO schools due to corona and the associated online education, many students lost their motivation. In addition, because of the shortage on the labor market, many students were tempted to choose work over school. Dijkgraaf wants to tackle the structural causes in his plan of attack.
Transfer coaches and customized attention
At present, young people with an accumulation of multiple problems drop out four times more often than other young people. This mainly concerns psychological and financial problems. Accessible and low-threshold assistance from schools is essential to retain young people with personal problems in education. On the advice of young people, schools will use ‘transfer coaches’ and ‘transfer points’ to help them take the next step. Dijkgraaf continues to invest in improving guidance and tailored attention for young people who need it. For example, 175 million euros will go to level 2 students, so that schools can offer extra intensive supervision or reduce the group size.
Smooth flow
At the age of fifteen or sixteen, young people have to choose from more than 500 different MBO courses. A tough choice at that age. This pressure is even greater because in practice many study programs only have one intake moment per year. This means that a student sometimes has to wait nine months for a new study program after making an unsuitable choice of study programme. That is why Dijkgraaf is investing 33 million euros from the MBO work agenda in career guidance and 14 million euros for an experiment that should show that students can smoothly transfer to another study programme.
More attractive education for students who want to work
Some young people learn better in practice than at school. These young people must also be given the opportunity to obtain their diploma. Being able to combine, for example, the vocational learning track and BOL can make an important contribution to preventing dropout. In the more distant future, education must be flexible enough to allow for combinations of work and learning, with some young people working in one sector but wanting to be trained in another sector.
Better guidance to work, with or without a diploma
Young people must be given the best possible start on the labor market. Help with the transition from school to work is very important. Even if young people do not find a job or lose their job after leaving education. Dijkgraaf is working on a bill together with the Minister for Poverty Policy and Participation.