Education Minister applauds decrease in province�s high school dropout rate

Education Minister Judy Foote confirmed a Statistics Canada Youth in Transition Survey released today which found that the province�s high school dropout rate has declined sharply, decreasing to 11 per cent in 1999. A similar Statistics Canada survey, School Leavers Survey, conducted in 1991, found the province�s high-school dropout rate to be 24 per cent. This is a 13 percentage point decline in the high-school dropout rate between 1991 and 1999.

"What this means," said Minister Foote, "is that there is an increased awareness among our young people of the importance of education and of the value of staying in school. It also speaks to the ability of our education system to provide students with the support and the resources they need to understand the importance of staying in school.

"While I recognize there are many factors which contribute to a student�s academic achievement, many of which were noted in the survey, the increased involvement of parents in the education of their children cannot be overlooked."

Currently, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador boasts the highest teacher to pupil ratio in the country. In addition, students benefit from the most highly educated teachers in the country, expert guidance counselors, and a rigorous and up-to-date curriculum, which includes courses that focus on career choices.

"Working with other stakeholders ensures the Department of Education is determined to see the dropout rate decline to the point where every student will graduate having understood the benefits of staying in school," said Minister Foote.

Media contact: Gay Decker, (709) 729-0048.

2002 01 24                           9:20 a.m.