Bolivia: School Dropout Rate Drastically Reduced

Bolivia has reduced the school dropout rate by rewarding students who stay in school. The plan that awards each student a $30 bonus at the end of the year was introduced nine years ago. The numbers of children leaving secondary school early have been cut in half and now stand at 4%. For primary school students the numbers are even lower, at 1.7%. The millions needed to fund the scheme come from the profits of 13 state companies. Parents say the extra cash helps motivate the students, while the students themselves enthusiastically receive their reward each year. Dimitri O’Donnell reports from La Paz for teleSUR