Completion rates of pupils in upper secondary education, 1997-2002

In 1994, 21 per cent of pupils who enrolled on a basic course for the first time dropped out from upper secondary education, while 4 per cent were still in upper secondary education five years later. 75 per cent completed upper secondary education within five years.

Throughput differed for boys and girls. While 79 per cent of girls completed and 17 per cent dropped out from upper secondary education, the corresponding figures for boys were 70 and 25 per cent respectively. Girls were also more likely to complete upper secondary education on time, at 69 per cent compared with 58 per cent for boys.

Completed upper secondary education is defined as a diploma, a journeyman's certificate, a trade certificate or other approval issued by the educational institution.

The throughput rates are based on pupils who entered upper secondary education in 1994 and 1997 and describe their movements in and out of the education system within a five year period.

Similar patterns

The throughput rates of pupils who enrolled on a basic course in 1997 show several similarities with the 1994 figures. In total 22 per cent had dropped out by 2002, while 74 per cent completed their education before 2002. 62 per cent completed on time, but girls were 10 percentage points more likely than boys to complete on time.

Higher dropout rates in vocational studies

There are major differences in throughput between vocational and general studies. In 1994, 88 per cent of pupils enrolled in general studies completed upper secondary education within the next five years. The corresponding figure for vocational studies was 59 per cent. Of the pupils who enrolled in general studies in 1994, 10 per cent dropped out compared with 34 per cent for vocational studies. And while 15 per cent of pupils in vocational studies did not complete their education on time, the figure was 8 per cent for pupils in general studies.

Parents' educational background

Parents' educational background affects throughput rates of pupils in upper secondary education. More than 17 000 of the 54 000 pupils who enrolled on a basic course in 1994 had parents with tertiary education. 31 000 had parents with upper secondary education and 4 500 had parents with primary or lower secondary education. Among pupils who had parents with a long tertiary education (more than 4 years), 92 per cent completed upper secondary education within the next five years. In comparison, only 52 per cent of pupils whose parents had primary or lower secondary education completed within five years and 43 per cent dropped out. Throughput in 1997 follows the same pattern as in 1994.

Four in ten immigrants dropped out

Immigrants in upper secondary education are defined as first generation immigrants and pupils who are born in Norway of two foreign-born parents who do not have a background from Norway, Sweden or Denmark. More than 2 300 immigrant pupils enrolled on a basic course in upper secondary education in 1994 and approximately 2 800 in 1997. As an overall average, 56 per cent of immigrants enrolled in 1994 had completed upper secondary education five years later, while 39 per cent dropped out. Similar figures are found in 1997.

Immigrant pupils from Europe were most likely to complete upper secondary education within five years in both 1994 and 1997, 65 per cent in 1994 and 64 per cent in 1997. Immigrant pupils from Africa were least likely to do so in 1994, as 39 per cent completed within five years and 11 per cent were still in upper secondary education five years after they started. This figure had decreased to 6 per cent for pupils who enrolled in 1997.

Immigrant girls had lower dropout rates than immigrant boys. While 30 per cent of girls dropped out in 1994 and 1997, the corresponding figure for boys was more than 40 per cent.

Among immigrants too, pupils in general studies were more likely than pupils in vocational studies to complete within five years.

Tables:

• Table 1 Pupils who started a basic course for the first time in 1994 and 1997, by completed upper secondary education within five years and gender. Per cent
• Table 2 Pupils who started a basic course for the first time in 1994 and 1997, by completed upper secondary education within five years, areas of study and gender. Per cent
• Table 3 Pupils who started a basic course for the first time in 1994 and 1997, by completed upper secondary education within five years, gender and parents' level of education. Per cent
• Table 4 Pupils and who started a basic course for the first time in 1994 and 1997, by completed upper secondary education within five years, gender and county of residence at 16 years of age. Per cent
• Table 5 Immigrants who started a basic course for the first time in 1994 and 1997, by completed upper secondary education within five years, gender and country background. Per cent