An examination of the societal and individual effects of early school leaving in the Irish context, focusing on Sundays Well Life Centre as an example of alternative education

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Date
2012-04-18
Authors
Healy, Órlaith
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Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork
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Abstract
This research project examines the societal and individual effects of early school leaving (ESL); looking at the role of alternative education services for young people in Ireland, focusing on the Life Centre (LC) as an example of alternative education. Through primary research the contribution of school structure to ESL is examined. In the project two primary search strategies were used in order to achieve the researchers identified aims. The two strategies are secondary research, in the form of a literature review, and primary research, in the form of five semi-structured interviews. The findings of this study illustrate the negative effects of ESL, and the contribution of school structure to ESL. The study recommends increased investment in second-level education, in order to prevent young people from leaving school early. The lack of support identified as being present in mainstream second-level schools was also found to be a contributing factor in many young people’s decision to leave school early. From the researcher’s examination of the LC curriculum the researcher believes that increased investment in the LC would allow for the adoption of the LCA programme, which would enable the organisation cater to a wider school leaving population. The researcher also feels that increased investment and development of guidance provision in second-level schools could work to provide an outlet for students experiencing difficulty. The researcher believes that this would allow for the enhanced provision of guidance counsellors to students in both the junior and senior cycle. The researcher feels that the benefits of such provisions would work to reduce ESL in Ireland.
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Early school leaving , Sundays Well Life Centre , Alternative education
Citation
Healy, Ó. (2012) An examination of the societal and individual effects of early school leaving in the Irish context, focusing on Sundays Well Life Centre as an example of alternative education. Cork: Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork.
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© 2012, Órlaith Healy.