This paper examines some of the major variables associated with early school leaving. Using a matched sample of “stayers” and “leavers”, an attempt was made, via multiple discriminant analysis, to identify the significant characteristics which distinguish early leavers from their peers who remain at school. The results indicated that leavers and stayers were markedly similar in terms of value orientations and personality, but differed significantly in terms of educational expectations and aspirations, perceived parental job aspirations for them, academic achievement, motivation and the students' own job aspirations. In addition, early school leavers generally disliked school, found it irrelevant in terms of their future occupational plans, and were generally unable or unwilling to cope with further schooling.
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