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Drop-Outs on Increase Despite Executive's Practical Push

Posted on: Saturday, 1 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

By Kevin Schofield Education correspondent

LARGE numbers of Scottish school pupils are dropping out of vocational courses, despite the Executive's drive to encourage more youngsters to study practical subjects.

Ministers have introduced moves to strengthen links between schools and colleges, particularly for less academic pupils. The Executive has said that increasing the number of Scots with practical skills will boost the economy.

But a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMI) said "poor selection procedures in too many schools leads to high drop-out rates from vocational courses".

The report also said that too few schools promote vocational education and that most teachers are not well enough informed about such courses.

Graham Donaldson, Scotland's chief inspector of schools, said that more local authorities were providing vocational courses and that most pupils enjoy their learning experiences. But he pointed out that there were "a number of significant areas for improvement".

He said that only a few schools promote vocational education for pupils of all abilities, while the opportunities for youngsters to continue their vocational studies in fifth and sixth year were "poor".

Mr Donaldson added: "Most school teachers are not well enough informed about the learning activities and experiences of pupils on vocational courses delivered away from the school and are unable therefore to relate these experiences directly to work within school."

Around 44,000 pupils are enrolled in college courses, although the Executive wants to give every youngster the chance to get a place.

Peter Peacock, the education minister, announced earlier this year that GBP 41 million was being made available to allow pupils aged between 14 and 16 to develop vocational skills through college courses.

The Lifelong Partners strategy will see every secondary and special school in the country have a partnership agreement with at least one college by 2007.

Ministers have also introduced the Developing Skills for Work initiative, which allows pupils to learn construction industry skills at college.

Source: Scotsman, The

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