Melton has the highest rate of school drop-outs in the western suburbs, according to a new report.
More than 15 per cent of 17-year-olds in Melton have dropped out of school, a report released by HealthWest says.
The Population Health Data, compiled from research conducted in the past five years, compared school retention rates in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham.
Melton recorded the highest rate in the western suburbs, closely followed by Wyndham (13.6) and Brimbank (9.3). The state average was 10.5 per cent.
“Within the HealthWest catchment, Melton residents aged 17 were least likely to be still attending secondary school and most likely to not be attending any educational institution,” the report states.
While Melton’s 15 to 19-year-olds were more likely to be working full-time and not studying (6.4 per cent), they were also less likely to be “fully engaged” in work or study (22.1 per cent). The state averages were 5.5 and 18.3 per cent, respectively.
Australian Education Union vice-president Erin Aulich said one reason why teenagers in Melton were leaving school at higher rates was because of “under-funding in critical areas”.
“We need to increase funding to enable targeted support programs in our schools,” Ms Aulich said.
“It’s absolutely essential that all of our students, no matter where they live or what socio-economic status they come from, have access to the best possible education.”
Brimbank Melton Local Learning and Employment Networks executive officer Graeme Brown said the organisation worked tirelessly with schools and community organisations to enhance opportunities for students to take part in education and improve indigenous student participation in tertiary education.
“My personal opinion is that a lot of the issues related to student disengagement stem from issues around expectations, family income, health and mental health, and low self-esteem,” Mr Brown said.
