Galway Bay fm newsroom - A new report carried out by NUI Galway has documented for the first time the progression rates of students in alternative education programmes.
Researchers examined seven projects offering QQI level 3 to 6 qualification.
Ireland has a high post-primary school completion rate, with over 92 percent of students completing the senior cycle in both 2018 and 2019.
But school completion rates in schools serving areas of acute economic disadvantage are statistically and significantly lower than those in more affluent areas.
A significant proportion of the 8 percent of pupils not completing post-primary education avail of alternative, or second-chance, education.
NUI Galway says very little centralised, scientific information has ever been gathered on this alternative education landscape - prompting the three year study.
It focused on seven projects awarded funding under Rethink Ireland's €7.5m Education Fund - and how they can serve as models of excellence in overcoming inequality in education.
It found that the average progression rates of students was 80 percent on average, with some projects reaching 90 percent.
It was also found that for every €1 invested in the projects, €9 of social value was created.
The report ultimately presents critical findings and challenges, and makes a call to action for a more diverse and equal education landscape in the future.
