The Warrnambool Local Action Group has held workshops with local secondary and primary students to learn of their aspirations and what would keep them at school.

Warrnambool City Council, a member of the action group,  has even asked children at its pre-school centres to do drawings about what they want to be when they grow up and the activities they enjoy to get a long-range view of what education should cater to.

The Warrnambool Local Action Group is one of six formed by the Great South Coast alliance of local government, industry and community to help reduce the region’s high school drop-out rate. 

Research shows that only 60.6 per cent of Warrnambool residents aged 20-24 years old have a year 12 or equivalent qualification, compared to the Victorian average of 74.4 per cent. 

As part of its research, the action group held forums with years 8, 9 and 12 students at Brauer, Emmanuel, King’s and Warrnambool colleges, plus sessions with six VCE and VCAL classes at South West TAFE and two Warrnambool Alternative VCAL Education (WAVE) classes. 

It also held a workshop this week with year 5 and 6 pupils from Warrnambool, Warrnambool West, Warrnambool East and Merrivale primary schools.

City council youth development planner Katie McKean said an online survey on the issue had so far attracted about 520 submissions, indicating the area’s low year 12 attainment rate was of concern to many in the community.

“The 60 per cent year 12 attainment rate has surprised a lot of people,” Ms McKean said. 

The feedback gathered by the Local Action Group will be analysed with a community presentation scheduled for November. An action plan will be developed and rolled out from 2015.

Submissions close tomorrow for the Warrnambool Local Action Group survey, which can be found at www.yoursaywarrnambool.com.au