One-third bored at school according to study

About a third of 14-year-olds say they are bored at school, according to the latest findings from a research project tracking the lives of 500 Wellington schoolchildren.

About one in five were already thinking about leaving school, the head of the competent children/learners study, Dr Cathy Wylie, told the Post Primary Teachers Association conference in Wellington yesterday.

The longitudinal study has followed the children since 1993 as they moved through the school system.

The latest report is based on interviews with the children when they were 14, their parents and teachers, looking not only at literacy, mathematics and problem-solving skills but also communication, social skills and qualities such as perseverance and curiosity.