Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v22i1.1162
Perspective of Professional Associates on Secondary School Drop-Outs as a New Social Problem
Gordana Berc
; Studijski centar socijalnog rada
Marijana Majdak
orcid.org/0000-0003-3725-383X
; Studijski centar socijalnog rada
Gojko Bežovan
orcid.org/0000-0002-7543-6875
; Studijski centar socijalnog rada
Abstract
This paper deals with the secondary school drop-outs through a short analysis of the Croatian and the EU context and through the study which was carried out in 32 secondary schools of different orientations (grammar schools and four-year vocational and three-year vocational secondary schools) in the city of Zagreb. The aim of the study was to expand the framework for understanding the circumstances and risks that lead to students dropping out of secondary school education, to find out the possibilities of their reintegration into the education system or in one of the existing forms of education and employment possibilities, as well as to encourage consideration of drop-out prevention strategies and re-inclusion of drop-out students in the education system. The survey was conducted by interviewing professional associates of those schools that have dropout students in their records and professionals who work daily with students at risk of dropping-out.
According to the records of high schools during the period from the school year 2006/2007 to 2011/2012, the largest share of drop-out students was registered in vocational schools (9.0 to 16.2%), and male students were significantly more frequent than female students (three times). According to professional associates’ perception, three most common causes of drop-out of students are: negative ratings, frequent truancy and behavioral problems. Professional associates report that options of drop-out students for re-inclusion in the educational system are very weak, and the possibilities of their entry into the labor market are also weak. In the opinion of professional associates, drop-out preventive activities should be more focused on individual work with a student, a better collaboration with students' families and centers for social welfare. Also, timely detection of the risks of dropping-out, team work as well as improved cooperation with the ministry careers should be achieved. Professional associates recognized secondary school drop-out as a serious social problem. They also estimated that more prevention programs at the national level should be applied in order to reduce the risk of students' dropping out and to develop the strategy for the timely re-inclusion of drop-out students in the educational system and their adequate preparation for the labor market.
Keywords
secondary school education; drop-out; causes; social problem
Hrčak ID:
137087
URI
Publication date:
27.3.2015.
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