UNICEF Romania: Econ Crisis Increased School Absenteeism By 10%, Leads To School Dropouts

UNICEF's analyses indicate a 10% increase in school absenteeism and forecasts on the effects of the economic crisis indicate an increase in the number of people affected by poverty, which will undoubtedly trigger an increase in school dropouts.

The key factors leading to school dropouts, as identified in a survey conducted in partnership with the Romanian Foundation Center Education 2000+, include students and their families, the community and the school.

Factors at the level of students and their families include financial problems, the educational role models offered by parents and brothers/sisters, family disorganization, involvement in activities pushed to the limits of law, entrance on the labor market, low confidence in education and circulatory migration.

School dropouts were boosted by students constantly and frequently repeating grades, insufficient student integration, the quality of relations with teachers and school mates, as well as the lack of preventive interventions.

According to UNICEF, the annual primary and secondary school dropout rates reached 1.9% during the 2007-2008 school year, with secondary school dropout rate reaching 2.2%, compared with the primary school dropout rate of 1.7%, while rural areas reached a 2.2% school dropout rate, compared with 1.7% in urban areas, mainly among boys, (2.2%).

According to 2002 data by UNICEF, Romanian counties Ilfov, Calarasi, Constanta, Tulcea, Braila, Ialomita, Covasna, Bacau, Vrancea, Iasi, Neamt, Suceava are the most affected by school dropouts.

UNICEF will make a brief assessment on the current situation of school dropouts in order to check whether these counties continue to be the most affected by school dropouts.

UNICEF experts think that in Romania the problem involving school attendance does not necessarily target school enrollment, but keeping children at school.

UNICEF has launched the campaign "All Children Must Go To School," which targets to raise awareness among people and decision makers on school dropouts and the bad consequences related to social exclusion triggered by early school dropouts.

The campaign will be based on a brief assessment on school dropouts at the level of different counties in order to identify the areas of top priority where projects will be unfolded in a move to stimulate school attendance and prevent school dropouts.

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