The percentage of students dropping out from secondary schools decreased in 2006. Meanwhile, the government will implement a new category of subsidies this year so as to encourage students to stay in schools.

According to the statistics released by Direcção dos Serviços de Educação e Juventude (DSEJ) in February 2007, there is a 3.5% decrease in the proportion of students who discontinue studies. Sou Chio Fai, Director of DSEJ, stated that it showed the success of the government on the effort of education.

During the meeting of Constituição do Conselho de Educação, Sou reported that there were 280 students who discontinued studies in the academic year 2005/2006, about 150 students fewer than the 2004/2005 figure. He also mentioned that the government has set up new schemes and counseling for teenagers when they restart their education.

Regarding the implementation of new subsidies in 2007, one of the major categories is "The Macau Handover Education Fund". Students of private and non-profit secondary schools are entitled to enjoy this education fund. The amount of the fund will be distributed to schools in two ways: Either during each academic year, or according to a unit system, which refers to the number of students and classes. The total budget for educational usage proposed by DSEJ for 2007 is MOP 1.8 billion, which is 27% more than the previous year; however, the amount arranged for "The Macau Handover Education Fund" is not yet confirmed.

John T. K. Ng, a teacher of Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College for two years, says that the new subsidy is effective in encouraging teenagers to continue studies. "Financial assistance is a basic element for both schools and students," Ng comments.

He emphasizes the importance of financial assistance under the current situation of Macau. "With regards to the change of structure and the unified economy system of Macau, teenagers tend to give up studies easily when they encounter obstacles,"
Ng explains. "The current trend and prospect for them are solely working in casinos. Being attracted by the high salaries, students believe that their prospects will still be brilliant even though they give up their studies. But this concept is surely wrong," Ng stresses.

Belinda Leong, a 17-year-old student who gave up her studies in 2004, has taken her secondary education again since last year. She explains that she dropped out because of family affairs and the relationship with her boyfriend. After these affairs were settled in 2005, she made up her mind to continue her learning again.

"In this era, education is crucial, it determines if one can get a good job and this reason has motivated me to continue my study. Although I believe that I am not a talented student," Leong says.

Penny Chow, whose daughter will complete her secondary education in the coming June, welcomes the new subsidy system. "The financial assistance is really helpful, but it may not be the most important factor," Chow goes on. "The major key is the causes of students to drop out. If they give up their studies just because of idleness or other minor issues, they may not have the initiative to continue their studies no matter what kind of subsidy is offered," she says.

According to the standard of DSEJ, students aged between 5 and 15 years old who give up their obligatory education will be considered as discontinuing their studies.

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