What are the most effective ways to advise students considering dropping out of school?

There is nothing that attracts a student to school more than the relationships they form with adults in the building. If they know people care about them and they know that those people have their backs, it will increase the chances of them attending school on a regular basis and, hopefully, graduating.

The reason most children decide to drop out of school , in my experience are the following:- (a) Unable to cope with academic performance, basically scoring marks in examinations. (b) Psychological issues and unable to cope in environment. (c) Medical issues due to which unable to cope with school schedule (d) Sports champions unable to take out time for training, or so much training that school schedule is impossible. Depending on the reason for dropping out, the advise has to be given. Children dropping out solely for academic performance, need to be worked with to see why they are unable to cope up. There are amazing options of "Unschooling" or "Homeschooling" nowadays to explore and they can always give the exams in NIOS.

When children are considering dropping out of school, it's crucial to understand their reasons and provide appropriate support as educators and guides. Establish a safe and non-judgmental environment where students feel comfortable sharing their concerns and reasons for wanting to Listen attentively to their reasons without interrupting or passing judgment. Understanding their perspective is the first step.

Encourage students to speak with their school counselors, teachers, or administrators. They can provide information about alternative education options, support services, and potential solutions to their specific challenges. Recommend reputable online learning like Khan Academy, Coursera, or edX, which offer free or affordable courses in a wide range of subjects. Many community-based organizations offer support to at-risk youth. These organizations may provide educational resources, mentoring, and life skills training. Suggest career counseling services to help students explore potential career paths and set achievable goals.

The first thing is to understand the reason behind the dropping out, after you know the reason you can advise accordingly. From my experience, some school enforce a lot of things and put a lot of pressure on students who do not have enough time for recreational activities. Though the academic is very important they also need time to relax, lets make learning more enjoyable rather than more pressurizing than more of cramming than understanding. Dropping out due to financial problems can be solved by providing financial aid

As guides we can suggest students Online programs and courses Vocational training in the field of their interest Network with other students Learn about other people who have dropped out and what path they took.

Share stories of individuals who faced similar challenges but persevered through education to achieve success. This can inspire hope. Connect what they are learning to real-world applications and how it can benefit them in their future careers. Demonstrating genuine care and support can make a significant difference in their motivation. Let them know you believe in their potential.

Schedule regular meetings with the student to discuss their progress and challenges. Provide guidance on study habits, time management, and organizational skills.

Is the time spent in school worth it? Are we learning valuable things? Part of the drop out conversation needs to center around creating an educational experience that is valuable for all learners where life skills and meaningful experiences are the norm not the outliers.

Children that are awake to being caught up in a system that molds them to be something they are not in order to support a society which has you living in illusion face tremendous stress in this world. Parents are often the greatest cause of this pressure because they place expectations on their children that sound like: “If your grades aren’t high enough, you’ll never get a good paying job.” Unless education provides a safe space psychologically for children to learn, not out of conformity, but out of freedom, then all we are doing is creating violent human beings that may one day be called upon to slaughter other living beings. Listen to children with an open heart and free mind - they will open up why they want to drop out.