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More young immigrants continuing on to higher education
Shifa Rahaman
November 6th, 2015
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This article is more than 9 years old.
The findings surprised integration researchers behind the project
Increasing numbers of young immigrants are taking further level educational programs, according to a recently published study.
The results come from the independent research institution Rockwool Fondens Forskningsenhed, which specialises in employment, immigration and integration issues.
Catching up to Danish peers
Examining data from 1990-2007, the study analysed the number of children who signed up for educational programs after leaving school.
It found that the difference between the number of ethnic Danes and the children of immigrants in higher education is closing – which has been welcomed as a positive sign of integration.
No boy left behind
The data, which also showed that young immigrant males are catching up to their Danish counterparts, surprised the researchers.
Jan Skaksen, Research Director at Rockwool Fondens Forskningsenhed, told DR: “This is a positive integration story and the surprising news is that immigrant boys are catching up on their Danish peers.”
Not there yet
The numbers have shown a definite increase, with 55 percent of children born outside Denmark now going on to start higher education programs.
However, they still lag behind ethnic Danes – 70 percent of whom go on to successfully complete secondary educational degrees.
“The data shows that young immigrants who leave school with high grades do just as well as ethnic Danes who also leave with the same grades. The problem is those that leave with poor grades and can’t seem to shake them off,” Skaksen said.
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