An Approach to Reduce Early School Leaving that Works

After finishing his basic education, Portuguese student Rúben Dhanaraju was disappointed by traditional options for continued learning finding they did not allow him to combine his education with skills in programming. Another student, Patrícia Oliveira, was unsure whether to continue with her traditional education, or choose a vocational option. 

As a result, both Rúben and Patrícia took part in dual vocational education and training certifications supported by the Operational Programme Human Capital through funding from the European Social Fund.  

Patrícia studied Informatics and Multimedia Technologies at Colégio de Gaia, a dual vocational and secondary-level course that promotes access to both the labour market and  higher education. 

‘The practical aspect of dual-certification courses implies another way of teaching, another way of thinking about school,’ says Patrícia. ‘My advice is that anyone who prefers a more practical learning process, like myself, should give this learning path a try.’ 

Rúben completed a course in Management Technician and Computer Systems Programming at Ruiz Costa Professional School, where he was able to access practical skills in programming and also finish his education. Rúben says the support provided by the course was a ‘huge help, definitely a great asset’, allowing him the opportunity to continue his education with a master’s course in the same subject.  

Rúben and Patrícia are among the 280 000 young people supported by ‘Human Capital’, an ESF-funded programme that allowed them to build their education via its dual certification path. They are both winners of the Human Capital Prize 2020, an initiative of the programme which funded their studies. 

Dual certification courses, delivered with support from the European Social Fund, have helped to considerably reduce the rate of early school leaving in Portugal, which stood at 18.9 % at the beginning of 2014. By the end of 2020, it was 8.9 % – already below the 10 % goal defined by European and national targets set to be achieved in 2023.