The risk of unemployment is very high for early school leavers and to this end a number of organisations have teamed together to devise a way to tackle the problem.

This is how REACH started.

The project started off in October last year and targeted 47 students attending two Cottonera secondary schools with the aim of helping them achieve their School Leaving Certificate. The students were chosen because of their frequent absenteeism.

The project, which is 75 per cent paid for by the European Regional Development Fund, was conceived after a study carried out by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) showed that a significant number of young unemployed were school dropouts or frequent absentees. This correlation kick-started the project that was coordinated by Access, with the participation of ETC, sedqa, Appogg and the Cottonera College.

Students were taught different life-skills, basic IT skills, and there were also after school and out of school sessions for Form 4 and 5 students.

Besides giving alternative education and mentoring to the young students, the programme included social workers who worked with the families while teachers were also instructed on how to deal with several aspects, especially absenteeism.

Speaking yesterday at a meeting that evaluated REACH, Education Minister Louis Galea said such projects proved the point of the setting up of colleges system, as they would cater for students from their first day at kindergarten to their last day at secondary level. Colleges were also a breakthrough as they enjoyed a level of autonomy never experienced before and did not depend on a highly centralised establishment.

The breakaway from the centralised system was very much highlighted from those attending the meeting as a strong emphasis was put on the need for a more student centred system. The need for greater attention to those students who did not fit in mainstream schooling was also mentioned, as well as the need for scouting of talents among students who showed greater aptitude for the arts, drama, music and sports.

The full report can be accessed online on www. appogg.gov.mt.