Would you sponsor a teenager to stay in school?

TheBody · 30-01-2013 09:44PM

Solobally8 wrote: »

Beat me to it!

We are already paying for over 5000 teenagers to go to school in Youthreach

Do you know how much each kid gets or how it works?

Solobally8 · 30-01-2013 09:52PM

TheBody wrote: »

Do you know how much each kid gets or how it works?

Big reductions since 2012 so different allowances for new students. New rates are €40 for 16 and 17 year olds, €160 for over 18s. Those already in the system before the changes get between €80 and €188 per week depending on age. They also get a daily meal allowance and travel. Paid holidays too

rainbowtrout · 30-01-2013 09:53PM

TheBody wrote: »

Do you know how much each kid gets or how it works?

Money is docked for non-attendance. Don't know how much it is though.

TheBody · 30-01-2013 09:54PM

Solobally8 wrote: »

Big reductions since 2012 so different allowances for new students. New rates are €40 for 16 and 17 year olds, €160 for over 18s. Those already in the system before the changes get between €80 and €188 per week depending on age. They also get a daily meal allowance and travel. Paid holidays too

Thanks for that. Seems pretty generous to me.

byhookorbycrook · 30-01-2013 09:59PM

By the time a child is school leaving age, the horse has well and truly bolted. Money needs to be put in for pre-school resources.

shruikan2553 · 30-01-2013 10:03PM

If someone wants to leave school then its their problem, after the JC we lost quite a few of the people who would just mess around all day disrupting the class and I see no reason why we should try to encourage them to stay, its there if they want it, they can leave if they dont.

Gran Hermano · 30-01-2013 10:06PM

We could always legalise abortion and stop funding those who expect others to pay for the upbringing of their offspring via social welfare or sponsorship.

Outkast_IRE · 30-01-2013 10:11PM

Having witnessed myself a mother dragging her reluctant teen into the welfare office and shouting about how hes done with and school and how "shes wants what hes entitled to " i think there should be no welfare support to teens under 18 . Unless of course they are forced out of the family home due to documented issues.

mikemac1 · 30-01-2013 10:19PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

I was talk to some friends who work in social services and we discussed how hard some teenagers in deprived areas have it.

What's a deprived area?

I'm near Ballyfermot which has a name and not a good one

But also has multiple pitches, basketball courts, pitch n'putt, council leisure centre, library, computer clubs, training centres, massive FÁS centre and plently more

Deprived?

I don't remember much of this growing up in an average town in the midlads

Your deprived areas OP also have money pumped into them, more money then many other areas get

30-01-2013 10:27PM

Its difficult to know if it would make any difference, I think if it was very nuanced and well though out it might help some...I think if it was aimed at getting them in to good habits that they might not be getting from home... for example a small amount of money for attendance every day, on time, in the correct uniform, correct books, with all homework done no matter what your level of ability.

There could be a different help for those that are genuinely very bright but who are handicapped by having disinterested skobie parents.

J_E · 31-01-2013 01:07PM

Cavehill Red wrote: »

Would I sponsor a child to go to school?
I already did. I sent my kid to a private college.

That's a luxury many can't afford, not to mention you've completely missed the point of this thread.

Blisterman · 31-01-2013 01:21PM

I agree mentoring is a better option than bribing kids to stay in school. There's a pretty strong correlation between parents and their offspring. People whose parents are alcoholics, drug addicts, violent, etc are much more likely to be those things themselves. Same goes for people whose parents are hard working or educated.

Providing better role models can only have a positive effect in my opinion, in terms of changing attitudes, whereas paying people to go to school just encourages an attitude that only things which pay are worth doing.

Quin_Dub · 31-01-2013 01:27PM

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Some large companies have corporate social responsibility programmes, where they fund local schools and the like.

I know of one company which runs a sort of "Dragons Den" type of programme for the local schools, getting them to form teams and compete in various projects. They win prizes and some college sponsorship if they win.
It gets them to work on something meaningful outside of the classroom environment.

There's so many large multinationals in Ireland availing of our corporate tax rate, they should really give a little back to the community instead of just channelling funds through an office.

I'm involved in this stuff and think it's a great way of giving back to society

My company work with a charity called "Junior Achievement"

Their aim is to encourage kids to stay in Education as long as possible to improve their opportunities in later life..

Over the last few years I've been going into secondary schools (usually 2nd yr on Transition yr) and delivering courses on Business Acumen , Interview Skills etc. Usually it's 2hrs a week for 8 to 10 weeks.

Personally it's very fulfilling - I get a bit of a buzz watching them pull together to develop the course materials etc.

Currently I'm working with Transition year students on a Enterprise Program where they have to come up with a business idea and setup a company etc. - Ultimately they have to go through a "Dragons Den" style event at the end of the course - This is part of a Europe wide program so if they win through at regional level they can go ahead to National or European events. Last year a school from Limerick won the European award for best Student company.

More people and companies should be encouraged and incentivised to get involved in this kind of effort..

It's not money these kids need , it's role models and encouragement..

Hamiltonion · 31-01-2013 01:31PM

If kids can't be bothered working then tough titties, I'd agree with the no school - no child benefit though.

Besides, we need people to work crap unskilled jobs

Eden3 · 01-02-2013 12:06AM

I may be kind of already doing it ... not school, but college. My 18 year old son's girlfriend has had an awful time at home ... got steadily worse over time + all about money!

Got to the point when her 1st year college grant hadn't come through - backlogs:mad:, and her parents were basically telling her they wouldn't pay her busfares anymore for her to go. This, combined with dreadful home environment!

Anyway, long story short, she's extremely clever and motivated. Works SO hard and very committed. Grant came through, but trouble at home escalated.

Long story short, she's had to come stay at our house until she can find accommodation near her college, as she just cannot live at home anymore because of the disharmony there.

It's terribly sad - that some kids won't have any intervention and/or help - and Social Welfare becomes their employer!

Would you sponsor a teenager to stay in school?

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