What is the Kilbarrack School Completion Programme?
Between 700 and 1,000 young people do not transfer from primary to second level. About 13,000 young people (one fifth of the cohort) leave school annually without the Leaving Cert (NESF Report, No. 24, Mar 02). The School Completion Programme is a key component of the Department of Education & Science's strategy to discriminate positively in favour of young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage.
There are a number of interrelated factors which impact a young persons decision to leave school early. These include the peer group, the school environment, emotional and behavioural problems and most importantly, the family.
The objective of the School Completion Programme is to improve retention in education by targeting each of the above factors in turn to combat the underlying culture that accepts early school drop-out as the norm.
The Kilbarrack School Completion Programme targets students in Greendale Community School and Scoil Eoin National School , providing specific interventions for individual students. To avoid stigmitisation and promote inclusion, all students in both schools are encouraged to get involved in aspects of the programme such as the After-School Clubs. It is our belief that working with the student alone is not going to produce significant long-term change in attitude towards education. Therefore, it is essential that the parents, the family, and the wider community is involved in creative planning and implementation.
We are constantly looking for new ideas and constructive criticism on current initiatives. Team effort is essential for a well structured, well planned and well run programme. We are always open to suggestions and love to link with other organisations in reaching a common goal.
We hope you enjoy the web-site. It gives an idea of some of the activities currently in place. Please call back again as we update constantly!
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Ciara Coyle: Co-ordinator