Early School Leavers
Essay on Early School Leavers
This essay will examine the issue of Early School Leaving. The legal definition of early school leaving in the Republic of Ireland is “non participation in school before a young person reaches the age of sixteen or before completing three years post primary education, or whichever is later”. Another useful definition is “leaving the education system without a minimum of five passes in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualification”. In Ireland up to nine thousand young people leave school early every year before taking the Leaving Certificate. The Leaving Certificate is the final state exam in the Irish secondary school education system. The essay will examine the factors that influence a young person’s decision to leave education early and the possible societal impacts that their decision will have for them in the future. Educational standards shape an individual’s role in society. Without a good standard of education, opportunities in society can be limited. Education can open many doors and without a good standard of education many doors will remain closed.
Aristotle wrote “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body. It develops man’s faculty, especially his mind, so that he may be able to enjoy the contemplation of supreme truth, goodness and beauty of which perfect happiness essentially consists”.
Education is one of the most important aspects of society. It gives us knowledge of the world around us. It develops in us a perspective of looking at life, and helps us build opinions and have points of view on things in life. Education is essential in the development of values and virtues. It cultivates young people into mature individuals, individuals capable of planning for the future and taking the right decisions in life. A proper education system is vitally important for the economic growth of a nation. This is especially true today in recessionary times.
A highly educated person can often be perceived as
This essay will examine the issue of Early School Leaving. The legal definition of early school leaving in the Republic of Ireland is “non participation in school before a young person reaches the age of sixteen or before completing three years post primary education, or whichever is later”. Another useful definition is “leaving the education system without a minimum of five passes in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualification”. In Ireland up to nine thousand young people leave school early every year before taking the Leaving Certificate. The Leaving Certificate is the final state exam in the Irish secondary school education system. The essay will examine the factors that influence a young person’s decision to leave education early and the possible societal impacts that their decision will have for them in the future. Educational standards shape an individual’s role in society. Without a good standard of education, opportunities in society can be limited. Education can open many doors and without a good standard of education many doors will remain closed.
Aristotle wrote “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body. It develops man’s faculty, especially his mind, so that he may be able to enjoy the contemplation of supreme truth, goodness and beauty of which perfect happiness essentially consists”.
Education is one of the most important aspects of society. It gives us knowledge of the world around us. It develops in us a perspective of looking at life, and helps us build opinions and have points of view on things in life. Education is essential in the development of values and virtues. It cultivates young people into mature individuals, individuals capable of planning for the future and taking the right decisions in life. A proper education system is vitally important for the economic growth of a nation. This is especially true today in recessionary times.
A highly educated person can often be perceived as
References: • Aristotle Quotes (Author of The Nicomachean Ethics). 2012. Aristotle Quotes (Author of The Nicomachean Ethics). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2192.Aristotle. [Accessed 12 December 2012]. • Barnardos. (2009). Written out, Written off. Dublin: Barnardos. • Byrne, D., Mc Coy, S., Watson, D. (2008). Early School Leavers Survey 2007. Dublin: ESRI/DES. • European Youth Forum. (2007). Policy Paper on Education Leaving. Belgium: European Youth Forum. • Early school leavers programmes. 2012. Early school leavers programmes. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/vocational_education_and_training/training_and_apprentiship_programmes/early_school_leavers_programmes.html. [Accessed 12 November 2012]. • Lally, M. (2012). Access all areas – a diversity toolkit for the youth work sector. Dublin: NYCI and Youthnet. • Mc Coy, S., Kelly, E., Watson, D. (2007). School Leavers’ Survey Report 2006. Dublin: ESRI. • NACD, (2010).Risk and Protection Factors for Substance Use among Young People. Dublin: NACD. • O’ Mahoney, P. (1997). Mountjoy Prisoners: A Sociological and Criminological Profile. Dublin: The Stationary Office. • Smyth, E. and McCoy, S. (2009). Investing in Education: Combating Educational Disadvantage. Dublin: ESRI Research Series.