The number 10 appears almost an insignificant number. However, it changes connotation when it becomes an increasingly difficult goal to reach. 10% is the rate of early leavers from education, which in 2010 the European Union has set itself to reach and even to reduce by 2020. A phenomenon, which according to EUROSTAT data is widespread among young people between 18 and 24 years who decide to leave school before graduation.
Who are the students at risk
First of all, "it is mainly male students who leave their studies compared to female students and the difficulties are greater for those who undertake their studies in a foreign country", reports congressman Gianantonio Da Re, member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education. Among the main causes that lead young people to leave school prematurely are the difficulties linked to income and socio-economic conditions, including unemployment, social exclusion, and poverty. However, reasons such as personal problems and difficulties in studying are not excluded.
In addition, some factors may worsen learning development. These, the MEP argues, have "deeper roots linked to society and the educational system". However, there are some occasional elements such as the relationship between teacher and student or any problems related to classmates and episodes of bullying.
European Union policies against early leavers from education
Currently, the EU is adopting "a policy with a global approach to foster social contexts oriented towards education taking into account also the different local realities". However, the direction that the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education is taking is to improve preventive and intervention policies to bring the percentage, particularly in the countries of southern Europe, below 10%.
In fact, the European Commission’s figures show a considerable discrepancy between North and South. Almost all countries in the latter area, except for Portugal, which succeeded in approaching the 10% target in 2019 through policies that support education, have a high rate of drop-out from school. For example, in Italy, the highest numbers were recorded in the south with a drop-out rate of 13.5%. This difference, according to Mr. Gianantonio Da Re, is again influenced by the socio-economic context: "young people from fragile backgrounds living in the suburbs have a greater propensity to leave school prematurely. Some households consider it too expensive to invest in the education of their children and at the same time a lack of confidence in their skills leads young people to seek for work right away".
Levelling out this difference, however, is not only the responsibility of the individual Member States, since education, as opposed to vocational training, is recognised as an area of EU competence. Therefore, as the MEP states, "the Union may contribute to and cooperate with the policies of the Member States where necessary, complementing their action regarding the content of teaching and the organisation of the education system, taking also into account linguistic and cultural diversity."
The pandemic and its impact on the phenomenon
The pandemic has radically changed the habits and approaches that students have towards learning and studying. The phenomenon of early school leaving is especially visible today as a result of the health emergency and consequently the closure of schools. This is clear, tells Mr. Gianantonio Da Re, in the use of new technologies, which although it has allowed continuity, it has also highlighted problems in following online lessons by students with disabilities, ADHD, and economic problems.
Despite the clear progress made over the last ten years, the EU faces new challenges that have emerged from the health emergency we are facing and must incorporate them into its policies to actively oppose early leavers from education. In the same words of Congressman Da Re: "(the European Union) can and must do more" to combat this phenomenon in the hope that the percentage in the future will actually become insignificant.
*eighteen-year-old Italian high school student. I have been selected in a special journalism training program within the news agency Adnkronos International.
