9/10 northside youngsters participating in learning initiative go to 3rd level
Nine out of ten north Dublin students who took part in a programme to develop and maintain an interest in learning have progressed to further education, a report has revealed. Historically, some north Dublin suburbs have had one of the lowest third-level participation rates in Ireland. However, 90 per cent of students who joined the 30-year-old Challenger initiative are continuing education beyond second-level. The initiative offers structured support to young people from sixth class to sixth year and works with parents and schools, with 40 sixth class pupils joining each year. They provide back up to children transitioning from sixth class to secondary school and through their Junior and Leaving Certificates and aids progression to further education. It aims to challenge young people to reach their full academic, personal, and social potential. Supports include extracurricular tuition and access to the Gaeltacht, and five-year evaluations of the programme have highlighted significant academic improvement, coupled with emotional growth. An assessment of the project coinciding with its 30th anniversary on Tuesday voiced concerns about its long-term future. Challenger was developed in 1995 by primary school teachers Dermot Boyle in Priorswood, and Noel Kelly in Darndale. It is delivered by local development company Northside Partnership to 200 young people yearly across Darndale, Bonnybrook, Priorswood, Coolock and Kilmore West, working in partnership with DEIS schools. The initiative provides educational and social support to children with the aim of boosting numbers progressing to further education. Dr Maria Quinlan of Pink Flower Research has warned that Challenger is restrained in long-term planning and development by a vulnerable funding model. “As is common in the sector of community development, the Challenger programme is reliant on funding support from Government agencies and public donations,” Dr Quinlan states. “While funding is currently secured for the next four to five years, longer term the programme remains at the whim of funding decisions beyond the control of Northside Partnership. This insecure funding model makes long term planning or programme expansion challenging.” Paul Rogers, CEO of Northside Partnership, said children from the communities it serves have as much talent and potential as those from more affluent areas, but often lack the chance to fully develop their potential. “As well as retaining children in full-time education and seeking to ensure they fulfil their potential, it seeks to build a positive education culture within communities, ensuring further education is viewed as attainable and achievable,” he said. “Often, what drives families to join Challenger are the success stories of students who have thrived through the programme.” According to Dr Jack Nolan, chair of the Darndale Economic and Social Plan implementation group, a Dublin City Council initiative for the area, introducing children to the concept of further education is a key component of the Challenger programme. “Challenger introduces children from areas with complex needs to the idea of further education at an early age,” he said. "It supports them to aim high and guides them along the way.” Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
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