Research of International Journal of Educational Innovation
The purpose of the International Journal of Educational Innovation is to publish scientific papers that promote any form of educational innovation related to teaching and learning at all levels of education, as well as any other aspect of the educational process and school or academic life.
Ιn the International Journal of Educational Innovation a research was published about early dropping of VET education of trainees from DPIEK Patras, where many useful data were recorded. The research was conducted, using questionnaires, by Giotopoulos Georgios (PhD (c), M.Ed., M.Sc., Deputy Director at DPIEK Patras) and Apergi Olga (M.Ed., Instructor of GGEEKDVMN at DPIEK Patras) with 53 students dropping early their VET studies.
The questions were answered by students who dropped out their studies and concerned the incentives to study, the reasons for the suspension of studies and the submission of proposals for the improvement of studies – services, of DPIEK Patras.
Research’s Results
Below there are some basic results of the research, for the DPIEK Patras such as:
- Registration incentives
- Reasons for stopping studies
- Suggestions for improving the studies – services provided
Regarding the incentives for students to register, at DPIEK Patras, the following graph is presented:
Reasons for registration of students at DPIEK Patras
Where A, with a percentage of 60%, the respondents who stated that the main reason for their registration, was to find a job in the subject of the training they chose.
Where B, at a rate of 58%, respondents stated that the main reason was to obtain an additional degree and
Where C, with a percentage of 30% of the respondents who stated that they registered in the DPIEK of Patras in order not to have as a unique qualification, to find a job, a Lyceum diploma.
It is also important to note that about 6 out of 10 respondents (60.4%) are employees today, of which 9.4% answered that their job is related to the specialty of DPIEK Patras which they did not complete.
The reasons for dropping out of studies
The following table (Table 1) shows the percentages of students who dropped out of their studies from the second semester of 2013 to the second semester of 2020.
It is of the utmost importance to capture the reasons for the interruption of studies. One of the questions of the research, which was answered by 37 people, was the reason for the suspension of studies by DPIEK Patras.
Below, the graph presents the reasons for the interruption of studies by the DPIEK of Patras.
Reasons for early dropping of VET education (qualitative dimension)
One of the main reasons for dropping out of VET studies, with a percentage of 41%, is work. Additionally, the requirements of studies with a percentage of 35% (in which obligations / requirements include the issue of hours and absences), then family obligations with a percentage of 14% and with a percentage of 10%, the issue of integration/embodiment in the learning group.
The main reasons for dropping out of the Patras DPIEK, according to the students, are:
- work
- the requirements of the studies – which are mainly related to the afternoon hours –
- family obligations
- the lack of integration into the learning group
- the extraordinary financial obligations or difficulties they encountered and
- their ignorance of the study regulations that provide for mandatory attendance.
Proposals for the improvement of provided studies – services
In the context of the research, was among other things, proposals for the improvement of studies for the DPIEK of Patras (answered by 30 people). At a rate of 40%, students who have dropped out of school, suggest lowering the limit or eliminating absences. At a rate of 30%, there were proposals concerning the infrastructure of laboratories and equipment and the proposals regarding the issue of educators, amounted to a rate of 23%. Finally, it is of high importance that proposals were recorded for the implementation of distance training / studying, either only for theoretical courses, or for students who have work experience in the subject.
Summarizing, the proposals of the students, who interrupted their studies, for the improvement of the studies and services of DPIEK Patras are related to:
- the operating hours of DPIEK
- the absences, for which they propose a reduction of the limit and / or their abolition.
- more suitable laboratory spaces, implementation of laboratory courses in production areas and educators through production and
- application of distance education methods, to people who have work experience and wish to certify their knowledge by obtaining a degree.
Dropping the Baggage – investing in the future
The project Dropping the Baggage – investing in the future is an Erasmus + program, which aims to reduce early dropout from Vocational Education and Training (VET).
This project can be an important tool as it will create the S.C.R.E.A.M. which will focus on how educators can help VET students to leave behind what keeps them away from education and invest in their future.
Dropping the Baggage – investing in the future develops an online guidance manual / website focusing on how VET providers, teachers, teaching assistants, job counselors, youth workers and students themselves can change what keeps them away from education, to something positive through the S.C.R.E.A.M. method
The European Center for the Development of Vocational Training – CEDEFOP, has pointed out that the identification of students, who leave their studies early by the VET providers, should be done at a local level as by this way , facilitates the design of appropriate measures to provide timely and appropriate support.
he research data published in the International Journal of Educational Innovation for DPIEK Patras, is useful data for the implementation of the project Dropping the Baggage – investing in the future, as it captures the situation at the location of p-consulting.gr one of the project’s partner, in Patras.
The project partners, in its current phase, also conduct research through questionnaires, which aims to record the views of educators and students, on issues related to the educational process, the educational environment and educational approaches.
In Greece, the research is conducted by p-consulting.gr, a project partner, based in Patras.
