IT colleges see a dramatic tumble in their dropout rates.

(From Irish Independent)

DROPOUT rates from the country's 14 institutes of technology have dramatically decreased over the past few years.

The non-completion rates have been gone down from 43pc in 1999 to 25pc in 2004, thanks to a range of measures aimed at retaining students in third level.

Those most at risk include students who work excessively long hours in part-time jobs. The long hours tend to result in missing lectures, which in turn can lead to dropping out.

The study was carried out by the Circa Group - an international consulting company - for the Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology and DIT.

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