engleski

In search for problem framing: Current condition and challenges of dropouts in Croatia

This paper will analyze the current situation and challenges of the of student dropouts in secondary education in Croatia. Young people who are at risk of dropping out of secondary education represent a specific vulnerable group because they are at risk of social exclusion and prone entering into the trap of poverty. Student dropout from secondary education in the Croatian context so far has not been sufficiently recognized and researched phenomenon although it can lead to a number of disadvantages for the individual and society. Youth in Croatia according to some researchers have relatively high expectations of education, but their valuing of education seems questionable because they observe how difficult is to get a job and that in society only political appointees or the rich succeed. Also it is questionable does school give people the knowledge that is required for work and life in modern society. The special importance of education is emphasized in times of economic crisis in Croatia when the youth unemployment rate is one of the largest in Europe. Researchers and data have found that it is most difficult to find a good and stable job for the people who have leaved the education system without acquired secondary education. Croatia has so far not led to systematic records, nor has dealt with this problem, so there are different estimates of drop-out rate that range between 3, 6% and 12% There are different sources of data and different data on the same phenomena in Croatian society, therefore, a challenge remains to build a unified methodology for monitoring the number of dropout students. Also, the organization of compulsory education in Croatia is different from the organization of compulsory education in some other countries so this should be taken into account. Identifying the extent of dropouts in Croatia is a challenge because of the lack of systematic research in this area. EU under the Europe 2020 strategy paper puts imperative that each member country priority taking measures to reduce the number of students who dropout from the education system. That has happened with certain success because EU dropout average has fallen from around 15% in 2010. to 12, 8% in 2012. The problem of students dropping out of secondary education, with efforts towards quantification of these facts, was put on the agenda of public debate in Croatia in process of creating the Joint Inclusion Memorandum - JIM, which took place in 2007th year. We will see how the problem is explicitly noted in the strategic documents and analyze all previous relevant policy documents together with implications of those documents on the concrete measures and actions taken. In addition, what now is lacking, it would be necessary to systematically monitor the causes of dropping out, the structure and specific socio-demographic characteristics of students and obtain data on the final outcome of students after dropout has took place. Some previous studies about the risk groups of students dropping out of secondary education in Croatia recognized that the main groups in risk are male students, students who come from families of lower economic status and whose parents have lower educational status, single-parent families. These are also vulnerable groups who by dropping out from secondary education are included in the risk of social exclusion. So it is needed, towards them, to implement direct prevention programs to encourage continuing of education. Furthermore, there is the problem of unavailable records that would monitor the level of social inclusion of these students. Extent and success of the measures and the possibility of reducing the cause of dropping out and their re- integration into the (re) education and work is relatively unknown. Adaptivity and flexibility of schools as a response to the risks of dropping out in Croatia still remains a challenge. Increasing the number of experts and their continuing education would increase the capacity of the system to fight for the prevention of dropping out in Croatia In Croatia for the recognition and visibility issues is important to inform the general public about the nature and seriousness of the problem. It is necessary to develop and advocate specific policies aimed at the high-risk population and to mobilize and support key stakeholders to take action in this area which includes finance, development, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of effective prevention programs. Investing in people who are dropping out from secondary education needs to be seen as human capital development through the prism of social investment perspective. Today, more than ever, success is associated with the level of academic achievement. Encouraging proactive action in this area in Croatia involves investment that contributes to the further cohesion in society by improving the life chances of individuals.

dropping out; problem framing; secondary education

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