According to young people who attended the Moreton Bay Re-engagement Forum and Expo "fear of violence, being picked on, pressure, disappointment and pointlessness" are some of the major concerns relating to attending or returning to school.

Diahn Gavine, Rebecca Boys, Jasmine King and Riahnon Johnson, members of the Youth Advisory Group from Deception Bay Community Youth Programs (DBCYP) led the Peer 2 Peer consultation session. They asked a dozen of their fellow peers gathered from schools and youth programmes within the Moreton Bay region for their views on education and the traditional schooling process.

What is School About/For?

The group cited education and socialisation as the two key reasons for young people's attendance at school. Although they could be working and earning money, attending school was said to be important to to increase their chances of moving to tertiary education and assuming greater responsibility within the community.

The young people participating in the session stated a strong desire to become effective and respected role models in their own right - which was a driving factor behind their commitment to education. Both mainstream and alternative education processes were considered important pathways to achieving an education and being role models for others.

What is Scary About School?

The threat of homelessness resulting from trouble at home was also uncovered as a central concern relating to young people's participation in education.

As Rebecca Boys later reported in the day's closing session, fears about school directly impacted young people's readiness to leave school. She also stressed the group's belief that insufficient staff and teaching support, an overly structured, boring approach education and learning had a significant impact on drop out rates.

Racism, bullying by both students and teaching staff and substance abuse were other factors cited that undermined young people's willingness to stay in school.

Should school staff be more supportive of what happens outside the school gate?

The consulted group's response to how school staff should support students offerd real food for thought for educators and advocates gathered on the day. "Listening and not assuming, not taking sides, having greater empathy, individual support for different learning styles and appreciating young people's needs and what interests them" were suggested as ways for school staff to be more supportive of young people experiencing the stresses of education.

Greater flexibility was also suggested as a means to improve engagement. The group suggested that educators and institutions consider the possibility of learning from home and variations to strict timetabling arrangements. The ability to balance study and working commitments was also recommended for consideration.

What changes need to happen for young people to want to stay at, or return to school?

The DBCYP facilitators received a variety of responses in relation to what changes need to happen for young people to want to stay or return to school. Smaller classes, more practical subjects, greater diversity in the method and subject of learning were some of the key recommendations produced by the group. It was suggested that a greater number of mainstream education programmes incorporate flexible learning opportunities.

Videos of the Forum and Expo including the Hip Hop Performance 'School of Hard Knocks' by BAP will be available at www.yanq.org.au/reengage.

The Youth Affairs Network is currently researching alternative education as part of the broader Re-engagement Project. The responses gathered from the Peer 2 Peer session will provide YANQ and its research partners with insight into young peoples' current perceptions of mainstream education. The information will be similarly considered in relation to how alternative education strategies may be best shaped to ensure all student needs are met.