Social workers are getting into schools to work with students who may be in danger of dropping out. Since April this year, 200 lower secondary students from four schools have been getting help to stay motivated in school through a new pilot programme.
These students, some of whom are at risk of becoming dropouts due to family circumstances, are also being taught life skills to overcome difficulties. Under the three year scheme, social workers from voluntary welfare organisations such as Students Care Service and Care Singapore work with 800 students who may have troubled family backgrounds, poor grades and low self-esteem.
The Scaffold Programme, run by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), is based on a "possible selves" theory developed by University of Michigan professor Daphna Oyserman. It is broadly about examining an individual's expectations for the future. Research in the United States has shown that the use of this method has led to students skipping school less, getting improved grades and behaving better.
Once a week, trainers take over a few classes to teach students life skills, such as how to cope with setbacks and achieve goals with good decision-making. After-school activities, such as outings or participation in the arts and sports, are also regularly arranged for the students. It is hoped that these sessions will build up their confidence and distract them from unwholesome peers or activities outside school.
According to the NCSS, students tend to drop out of school at two key points. The critical junctures are during the transition from Primary 6 to Secondary 1, and at Secondary 3. When asked for data on this, the Ministry of Education would say only that attrition rates have gone down. In 2000, 4 per cent of each Primary 1 cohort did not complete secondary education, but this has been less than 1 per cent in each of the last five years.
The transition to Secondary 1 can be particularly stressful for some students because it is a new environment, said Ms Tina Hung, deputy chief executive of NCSS. Behavioural problems also typically emerge in the upper secondary years, especially if the teenagers hang out with bad company.
Social workers say these periods can be trying for some teenagers, who not only come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds but are also grappling with identity issues. To gauge the effectiveness of the programme, NCSS will do data analysis and an evaluation with the students before and after it is run. It will be extended to more schools if successful.
Mr Gary Chia, a manager at Care Singapore, said he is encouraged by the students' gradual improvement. "They are participating more in class, showing fewer behavioural issues and sharing more with us," he said. "Sometimes what they need is for people to understand that there are reasons why they are always tired in class or not doing their homework."
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