SCHOOL LEAVERS AIMING HIGHER THAN EVER BEFORE - Joyce Watson AM welcomes improving results for local schools

THE NUMBER of pupils leaving schools in Pembrokeshire without any qualifications has dropped dramatically this year.

Just 34 out of 1,521 pupils left full time education without a recognised qualification, while just 22 did not enter work-based learning or continue full time education - 1.4%.

Pembrokeshire-based Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM has welcomed the release of new figures which reveal a 15 per cent drop in the number of 15 year olds in Wales leaving full-time education without a recognised qualification in 2007.

The results show that the Labour-led Assembly Government is on track to meet its 2010 targets to ensure that no pupil leaves school without a qualification and to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

JOYCE WATSON AM said:

''Welsh Labour believes in giving young people in Pembrokeshire the chance of a better life, a better paid job and a better future.

''Thanks to record investment in our education system, more pupils are leaving our schools with better qualifications than ever before.

''And I am pleased and encouraged that the Assembly Government is on track to ensure that by 2010 - no pupil leaves school without an approved qualification and that the number of NEETs is reduced.

''Action is also underway to help NEETs to get back into education or employment. This Labour led Assembly Government wants to see every young person in our community achieve their potential.''

Education Minister JANE HUTT said:

''I am pleased with these marked improvements which show that the education system is moving in the right direction.''