Students are helping other students stay in school through a video project that touts ideas for reducing the high dropout rate in Verdun.
The series, entitled "My Words, My Future," will be sent to schools, school boards, CLSCs and community centres in Verdun in the hopes that someone will listen to the youngsters' ideas about how to reduce the dropout rate.
The video went public at the Dawson Community Centre on Wednesday evening.
Studies show that the high school dropout rate is approaching a stunning 50 per cent in southwest Verdun, and Grade 10 student Ashley Dube might soon be one of them.
"I actually considered dropping out because it's way too difficult for me," she told CTV's Herb Luft.
Array of issues
The video project is the brainchild of five McGill nursing students who believe that education is closely tied with health.
They persuaded teens and pre-teens from the Dawson Community Centre to talk about the positive benefits of school in a series of video capsules.
The students gave their insights into excessive class sizes and even the noise levels in the classroom.
Students also talked about the need for more one-on-one instruction and some said that school should start later in the morning.
Positive peer pressure
Aspen Gagne, one of the program's creators, says students are in a great position to help their peers.
"I think that sometimes we underestimate the children and how powerful their voice can actually be," she said. "They have a lot to say."
Teacher Bridget Perry-Gore endorses the video, saying it's "a new spin" on a well-documented problem.
"I think it might put the bug in someone's mind that we do have to do something about it because the kids are dropping out."
The students have spoken and if adults listen, the feeling is this project can only succeed.
