To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what analysis has been carried out to ascertain the main reasons why students in further education in Northern Ireland dropped out of their courses in the last three years. (132185)

A range of analysis has been carried out by DEL to ascertain the main reasons why students in further education in Northern Ireland dropped out of their courses in the last three years. This includes analysis of the available data regarding the ‘reasons for withdrawal’ variable contained within the Further Education Leavers Survey (FELS) returns as well as analysis undertaken by the Education and Training Inspectorate on retention within a college as part of their inspection process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students in further education in Northern Ireland failed to complete their course in the last 12 months; and how many of them were in the final year of their course. (132187)

During the 2005/06 academic year a total of 24,219 enrolments, which equates to some 16 per cent. of total provision, in the Northern Ireland Further Education Sector failed to complete their course. Some 16,157 of this total were final year enrolments.

Notes:

1. The source for this analysis is the Further Education Statistical Record (FESR) and the Further Education Leavers Survey (FELS).

2. The figures quoted include students who dropped out of their original programme of study and subsequently transferred to another course.

3. The data above pertain to “assessed” provision only and are the latest available.