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No increase in participation rates in education for 16 to 18 year olds

The overall participation of 16 to 18 year olds in education (school and tertiary) has remained steady from 2002 to 2003, with the exception of a small drop in the participation rate of 18 year olds.

Rates of formal education participation for 16–18 year olds 1999–2003.

More students leaving school with qualifications

The proportion of students leaving school with no qualifications decreased from 18 to 15 percent from 2002 to 2003. While greater proportions of Māori and Pasifika students continue to leave school with no qualification, in both groups the proportion declined from 2002 to 2003.

The proportion of students leaving with the equivalent of NCEA Level 2 or higher increased from 64 to 68 percent from 2002 to 2003. While the proportions of Māori and Pasifika students achieving this level of qualification are lower, there were increases in both groups from 2002 to 2003.

Decrease in students going from school to formal tertiary education

The proportion of school leavers in 2002 who were in formal tertiary education as at 1 July the following year was down by four percentage points on the proportion of 2001 school leavers. Nearly all of the decline was in those going straight on to certificate-level study. Some of this effect is likely to be due to increased take-up of Modern Apprenticeships ¹. It is also likely that this reflects more school leavers going straight into unskilled employment, given the improved labour market situation.

The decrease is consistent across ethnic groups and is more significant for those from low-decile schools.

¹ Modern Apprenticeships, and other industry training, are only counted within the formal enrolment statistics where there is an enrolment with a tertiary education provider. On-job training provided to Modern Apprentices or through the industry training fund is not counted in those numbers. (↑)

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• Table of Contents

• The State of Play

• Cross Strategy Indicators

• Raise foundation skills

• Skills for our knowledge society

• Strengthen research and knowledge creation

• Te rautaki mātauranga Māori

• Pacific people’s development and success

• Capability and quality

• Technical and Data Definitions