Voortijdig schoolverlaten binnen MBO Sport en Bewegen

Abstract

School drop-out is a social problem of considerable scope in the Netherlands. Especially the drop-out rate in the lower Intermediate Vocational Training is remarkably high. This rate has also stabilized in the past four years. This study examined the influence of internship experiences on school drop out of students, who studied Sports and Movement in the lower Intermediate Vocational Training in the Netherlands. Questionnaires were held with the ex-students to gain general information about this educational problem. In-depth interviews with teachers and ex-students were held to gain more insight into the complex interdependent factors like the internship. This can cause early school leaving as experienced by the leavers themselves. It was found that several factors contributed to early school leaving; however, school-intern factors like dissatisfaction with the contain of lessons, the approach of teachers and their lack of involvement with the students were found most. The most interesting thing was, that the influence of internship experiences was underestimated by both teachers and ex-students. Bad internship experiences could have a great constant background influence on the students motivation for school, and in the process that leads to early school leaving. Especially fluctuating internship hours, time pressure and a lack of school involvement caused problems.