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New statistics show fewer students are leaving schools in Wairarapa with no qualifications, says Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer.
Ministry of Education figures show that just 138 school leavers, or 15 percent of the 917 who left school in the Wairarapa electorate last year, did so with nothing to show parents or prospective employers. This is down from 18 percent with no qualifications in 2002. "No qualification" means a student with fewer than 14 credits at level 1 NCEA.
Ms Beyer said government initiatives now provide the opportunity for all teenagers to stay at school and gain qualifications, including:
- The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, lifting the capacity of teachers and the community to help improve students reading and writing skills
- Student engagement initiatives to combat truancy and suspensions
- Students at risk initiatives
- Youth Transitions, enhanced Career Advice/ Guidance and Gateway programmes to assist school leavers into further education or work
"Nationally, the figures show that the number of pupils leaving school with no qualifications dropped from 18 percent to 15 percent between 2002 and last year. These are the lowest figures in 10 years," said Ms Beyer.
The figures are matched by lifts across the country in the proportion of pupils staying on until year 13 (seventh form), with more students leaving with NCEA level 1 or higher, and fewer Māori and Pasifika students leaving without qualifications (down from 35 to 30 percent, and 26 to 21 percent respectively).
Employment statistics announced last week show 2600 more 15-18 year olds in jobs now than this time last year - and 17,500 more than in 1999.
"School leavers are still one of our biggest challenges. With a nation screaming out for skilled labour, teenagers who walk out the school gates with their name on no more than their lunchbox will face an uphill struggle.
"I think the government deserves a B+ on its report card for progress - with the challenge of lifting school leaver qualifications. Like most pupils, we know we can and must do even better," said Ms Beyer.
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