Pupils will be paid for staying on at school

Around half of all pupils who stay in school or college after the age of 16 will get up to £30 a week in a drive to tackle England's high drop-out rate, the government has announced today.

The 'earn as you learn' allowances will apply to pupils from households with incomes of £30,000 or less. The means-tested payments of between £10 and £30 a week will be paid from this September in return for "strong attendance and commitment".

Young people could also receive bonuses of £100 if they stick to the course and make good progress, the government said.

The government hopes that the scheme will raise the number of 16 to 18 year olds in full-time education by more than 70,000.

The allowances have been tested in 56 local education authority areas, and results indicate that the number of 16 year olds in full-time education increased by almost 6%.

The allowances had the biggest impact on boys, which could help to address the gender gap in further education. The allowances also increased the staying on rate of 16 year olds from the lowest socio-economic group by around 10%.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke said the financial incentives will help to "replace the culture of dropping out with a culture of getting on".

He added: "There is no point having improving GCSE results and higher education participation rising towards 50% if there remains a huge chunk in the middle that continue to drop out and enter into a cycle of continuous low paid work or unemployment."

All year 11 pupils planning on continuing their education in school or college from this September can pick up application forms for the payment from their school, sixth form college or local Connexions branch.

(gmcg)