One dropout in three quits school before 4th grade

Unveiling the findings on Monday, MBMD Executive Director Mira Yanova said it is particularly alarming that such a large proportion of children stop attending school before 4th grade, because they remain practically illiterate and are more predisposed to criminal behaviour. Those who drop out before 8th grade are only able to find low-skilled jobs, she said.

According to the survey, 70 per cent of school dropouts are Roma, 15 per cent are ethnic Bulgarians, and 11 per cent are ethnic Turks. The boys-to-girls ratio is 53 to 47.

In terms of family background, the parents of 47 per cent of dropouts are married, and the parents of 44 per cent of dropouts are either divorced or live together without being married.

Nearly two dropouts in three have had a poor or barely satisfactory school achievement record. Some 61 per cent of those with a low achievement record attribute their performance to difficulties which they experienced in their studies.

Some 59 per cent of dropouts did not receive help with their homework. In 40 per cent of dropout cases, the parents rarely showed interest in their children’s progress in school, and 30 per cent of parents never showed such interest.

Twelve per cent of the parents of school dropouts say it does not matter what education their children will receive. The view is shared by nearly half of the children themselves. Some 19 per cent of parents believe it is important for their children to finish primary school (8th grade), and 30 per cent would like their children to finish secondary school (11th or 12th grade).

Some 19 per cent of dropouts say they definitely want to resume their school studies, but 46 per cent are positive that they do not want to go back to school. Among the reasons for wanting to return to school, respondents listed better career opportunities, social advantages, and the will of their parents.

Children and parents believe that the best incentives for dropouts to continue their school studies are to provide them with free textbooks, to offer a wider range of extracurricular activities, and to have the semi-residential school system cover more children.

The nationwide representative survey, commissioned by the Education and Science Ministry, covered 200 children who were not attending school, 1,500 school-goers, their parents and teachers.

BTA