School completion

In recent years, the economies of advanced nations have become more dependent on an educated workforce. Students who fail to complete high school will find it more difficult to secure meaningful employment that leads to social well-being. Drop-outs are more likely to be recipients of welfare and unemployment insurance and experience more mental and physical health problems. They are also more likely to engage in illegal activities and substance abuse.

Statistics show that 11.4% of Canadian youth leave school early, with a greater proportion of male than female drop-outs (14.7% vs. 9.2%). Roughly one in five young people have not received their high school diploma by the age of 20, with males outnumbering females two to one in this respect. In economic terms, a single high-school drop-out can cost $243,000 to $388,000 (US$) during their life-time.

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• What do we know?
• What can be done?
• According to experts