2018 Hooked on School Days end by highlighting rising graduation rates

The 9th edition of Hooked on School Days came to a close this past weekend after bringing together hundreds of partners from all walks of life in more than 300 activities to encourage and motivate young people to persevere across the region. The series of events was organized by the Estrie Table of Interrelationship in Education (TECIÉ) and the Partners for Educational Success in Estrie Project (Projet PRÉE).

Drawing on the latest report from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, which indicates that the rate of graduation of young Townshippers is increasing, organizers claim that their efforts have not been in vain.

According to the report, the proportion of students under the age of 20 who obtain a first degree or a first qualification continues to grow in Québec and the Estrie. For the 2009 cohort, the graduation and qualification rate in Estrie increased from 73.0 per cent in 2015 to 74.4 per cent in 2016, the highest rate in 12 years.

"If we compare the rate of graduation and qualification of Estrie after 7 years, with that of all of Quebec, we can see that there is still some way to go, but we are almost there," said Josiane Bergeron, coordinator of Projet PRÉE. ”In fact, Québec recorded a rate of 76.5 per cent, for the 2009 cohort in the public network. "By observing the cohort rates for 2009, 2010 and 2011, there is steady growth in Estrie. In addition, the graduation and qualification rate after five years for the 2009 cohort is 57.1 per cent, while it rises to 58.8 per cent for 2010 and 62.9 per cent for 2011,"

As part of their 2016-2020 strategic plan, the organizing groups have set a goal of reaching a graduation and qualification rate of 77 per cent by 2020; an achievable target according to. Mariefrance Bélanger and Christian Provencher, co-chairs of TECIÉ and Projet PRÉE.

"It is essential that Estrie partners continue to mobilize and consult each other so that even more young Townshippers can thrive and obtain a diploma,» said Bélanger.

At the provincial level, as part of its Educational Success Policy, the Québec government has set a goal, by 2030, of increasing the proportion of students under the age of 20 who receive a first degree to 85 per cent for both sexes.