Some 19% of the children aged between 15 and 18 were not included in the educational system in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, according to Sandie Blanchet, UNICEF representative for Romania.

“Almost 183,000 children in the school year 2010/2011 and 174,000 children in 2011/2012 were not included in the educational system. These figures represent 19% of the population aged 15-18, a rate that remains constant during the two years the analysis focuses on,” said Blanchet, cited by local Agerpres.

Also, the dropout rate for the 2011/2012 school year indicates an increased risk for students in rural areas: the indicator’s value is 30% higher than in urban areas.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com