Special program for dropouts mulled

Seeking to minimize the number of Northern Marianas students who drop out of school, the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council is urging the CNMI government to institutionalize an educational program that would assist dropout students.

The municipal council reminded the Public School System and the Board of Education that young people who are not able to complete high school face many more problems than those who graduate.

A resolution filed by Council Chair Gregorio Deleon Guerrero stressed that a major effort is needed to retain students, thereby, reducing the number of school dropouts in the island.

Studies have noted that students drop out for many reasons, ranging from financial difficulties to boredom and inability to cope with speaking in front of a class.

Dropouts also listed school and personal factors as reasons for dropping out. They claim they: did not like school in general or the school they were attending; we’re failing, getting poor grades, or could not keep up with school work; did not get along with teachers or peers; got a job, had a family to support; got pregnant; or had a drug or alcohol problem.

While no official record can attest to the reportedly high number of drop-outs in the CNMI, majority of the local resident population did not complete either an associate or bachelor degree.

Unconfirmed reports claim a significant portion of the local population are unable to graduate from high school.

According to Mr. Deleon Guerrero, CNMI students are out of school because they were either expelled due to violation of education policies or they just voluntarily quit school.

“As a result of these expulsions, these children have chosen unnecessary and unpleasant activities, thus, increasing the crime rate committed by teenagers,” he added.

Statistics show juvenile offenses in the Northern Mariana Islands have increased since 1992 when juvenile offenses totaled 313 and increased to 363 four years later. Although the tally fluctuates from year to year, violence such as assault and battery remains on top of the list.

The municipal council chair said PSS policy should focus on assisting students to maximize their potential to become productive members of society through the development of an Alternative Educational Program for dropouts and potential dropouts.

That way, students who drop out of schools will have the opportunity to obtain training which will prepare them for jobs in both public and private sectors since teens who quit school often end up in menial, dead-end jobs that are below their intellectual potential.

In bigger cities outside the CNMI, earnings level of dropouts doubled while it nearly tripled for college graduates during the last 20 years. Studies revealed that recent dropouts will earn $200,000 less than high school graduates, and over $800,000 less than college graduates in their lives.

Also, dropouts make up nearly half the heads of households on welfare and the prison population.