Boarding school graduates choose vocational schools because they offer more opportunities

Most of the boarding school graduates continue their studies not at secondary schools or universities, but at vocational schools as they offer them a place in the dorm and a meal. The greater employment chances after graduation are also an advantage as these schools cooperate with economic entities, the head of the Education Ministry’s General Preschool, Primary and Secondary Division Valentin Crudu said in a roundtable meeting organized by the Independent Journalism Center, Info-Prim Neo reports. In 2011, 51% of the students who graduated boarding schools chose vocational schools, 8% - high schools, 7% - colleges, while 4.6% found employment. The others did not want or couldn’t continue their studies. Aliona Stepan, program coordinator at the Child Rights Information and Documentation Center, said the boarding school graduates find it difficult to study at universities. “The examination commissions often do not want to admit boarding school graduates and advise them to go to vocational schools,” she stated. Attending the roundtable meeting, boarding school graduate Elizaveta Pascari said she applied to university even if the other classmates of hers went to vocational schools. It was hard for her during the first year of studies as she did not have an award. She said it was difficult for her to integrate with the group and the students in the dorm. Angela Ganea, head of the Child Rights Protection Division’s Reintegration into the Family and Adoption Section, said that answering the children’s needs, the Division created the day and placement center for post-institutionalized young people that has a capacity of 35 places. Boarding school graduates from all over the country can go to the center if they do not have a place to live. More than 1 000 students graduated boarding schools in 2011. When graduating the boarding school, the students are paid an allowance of 5,000 lei, while after the vocational school – of 10,000 lei.