10-year high in vocational dropout; Minister’s plan to stop.

More and more vocational students are dropping out of MBO without a diploma. Last year, 30,242 MBO students dropped out – about 5,000 more than the year before and the highest number in 10 years.

Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf of Education called this worrying and launched an action plan to reduce the number of dropouts.

The Minister of Education has launched an action plan to reduce the number of vocational students dropping out of MBO without a diploma. The plan aims to improve the quality of vocational education and support students more effectively.

One of the main focuses of the plan is to provide better counseling and guidance to students, starting with an intake interview to identify potential issues early on. The plan also includes measures to address the high workload of teachers and to provide better support for students with learning difficulties.

The high dropout rates in vocational education have serious implications not only for the students themselves but also for the economy and society as a whole.

Students who drop out of vocational education are more likely to be unemployed, have lower earnings over their lifetime, and face greater social inequality. Furthermore, an increased number of dropouts also means a shortage of skilled workers in crucial sectors such as healthcare, technology, and construction.

It is therefore crucial to address the issue of high dropout rates in vocational education and provide students with the support they need to succeed.