Preventing Students from Dropping Out of College
Children in Further Education Who May Become Excluded
Apr 5, 2009
Students’ behaviour is governed by unconscious factors. Unresolved conflicts in childhood can lead to emotional and behavioural problems later in life. Sadly this can have a huge negative impact upon the child’s learning and may even cause them to drop out of FE (Further Education).
What Does NEET Mean?
NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment or Training. This happens when an individual drops out for negative reasons and becomes excluded from society.
Why do Some Students Drop out of Education?
NEETs result from family stresses, drug abuse, broken homes and negative parenting styles. The National Statistics Office have found that a significant number who are excluded from further education are:
- Mostly boys
- From minority groups, particularly those who are Afro Caribbean
- From disadvantaged backgrounds
- Have some sort of special needs in learning
Those that become NEET are infinitely more likely to turn to crime.
Getting Excluded Children Back into Further Education
Latest figures reveal that 189,500 14-18 year olds are NEET in the UK (Department for Children Schools and Families). This is a great cause for concern.
Every Child Matters, the NSPCC and ChildLine are working together to tackle the problem. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), which is part of Special Education Needs (SEN), offer counselling services for vulnerable students in FE. However, the problem remains and too often, vulnerable students slip through the net.
What Teachers Can do for Students Who Risk Exclusion
Emotional learning barriers are due to low self-esteem. If unchecked the student is vulnerable to becoming NEET. Every Child Matters have put together a document that aims to tackle the problem of children dropping out of education. The following strategies might help.
- Place emphasis on effort rather than attainment alone
- Give the student responsibility
- Listen to the student and demonstrate that their views are important
- Use their work as a good example, so long as this does not cause embarrassment
- Positive body language and tone of voice can be more important than what is being said
- Most importantly, praise, praise and praise again, even for the little things
How a Teacher Can Support a Student Who May Drop Out of Education
Confidentiality is imperative if a student discusses their problem with a teacher. Failing that, the teacher can inform the student on points of contact when the need arises. In the end, it is up to the student to follow these up.
What a Teacher Should do if the Student Discloses of Child Abuse
If the student opens up to the teacher about anything that is a cause for concern, the teacher must inform the appointed Child Protection (CP) Officer and adhere to the following:
- Do not promise confidentiality. Warn the student the CP officer may need to be informed of anything disclosed.
- Record whas been said in a logbook and date it
- Although disclosure might be upsetting, do not become emotionally involved.
- Every Child Matters have guidelines in place on how to deal with such difficult situations.
help for Students Who May Become Excluded from Education
Raised awareness of Every Child Matters and the support system is essential. A counselling service in FE (CAMHS) is provided for vulnerable students who need confidentiality. A Child Protection Officer must be informed of any disclosures and are there to provide guidance. But there is much a teacher can do to raise the self-esteem of the student and to encourage them to continue in FE learning.
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