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MONTREAL, March 17, 2009 – On releasing the report of the Groupe d'action sur la pers�v�rance et la r�ussite scolaires, L. Jacques M�nard, who chaired the action group, noted that the total cost of the proposed projects is estimated at between $140 million and $240 million, the difference being attributable to the dates on which the various measures could be implemented.
“We estimate the economic cost of the 28,000 young Quebecers who drop out of high school each year to be $1.9 billion,” said Mr. M�nard. “I think it's easy to see that investing in student retention is more advantageous from a cost-benefit standpoint.”
A high school diploma or the equivalent benefits its holders in several ways. Graduates' average annual income is $40,000, as opposed to $25,000 for dropouts, or lost earnings on the order of $439,000 (undiscounted value) by the end of the dropout's working life. Dropouts are unemployed, on average, 2.1 times longer than graduates; their life expectancy is seven years shorter; and the risk they will have an encounter with the prison system during their lifetimes is 1.7 greater.
A low graduation rate also entails a significant cost for society. A cohort of dropouts (28,000 young people a year) represents lost earnings for the government on the order of $1.9 billion (present value), a figure that includes uncollected taxes (federal and provincial income and sales taxes) and the additional social expenditures generally associated with an average dropout during his or her life (employment insurance, social assistance, judicial and second generation costs).
In addition, a high dropout rate deprives society of qualified workers. What is even more disturbing is that Quebec needs all its workers in order to take on the significant demographic challenge it will face in the years to come.
Mr. M�nard also mentioned that the conclusions of the Savoir pour pouvoir report are based on facts and verifiable data and make no value judgement regarding dropouts and graduates. “We all know people whose educational level is very low but who are model citizens and true assets to those around them and to their communities. But we also know that, in the future, knowledge recognized by a diploma will be a key condition to obtaining a well-paid job,” concluded the chair of the action group.
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