Ten students complete Alter Programme with success

Today, the Formentera Island Council's councilor of Social Welfare, Youth Services and Equality, Dolores F. Tamargo, delivered diplomas for successful completion of the socio-educational Alter Programme for secondary school-age island youth between 14 and 16. The initiative is administered by the Regional Minister of Health, Family and Social Welfare of the Govern Balear with the collaboration of the Formentera Island Council and any additional participating businesses.

The Alter Programme aims to find a solution for local youth who for any variety of reasons have rejected the standard route to learning. It is conceived for those adolescents who, increasingly discouraged in the school setting, display a lack of interest that has at times effected negative attitudes and disruptive classroom behaviour, often leading to academic failure.

Thus, Alter is intended as an alternative route to education for students aged 14 to 16 who display an interest in a kind of schooling that is comparatively more practical and functional – and more directly linked to entry in the professional world – than traditional learning.

In Formentera there are three places available for participation in the Alter Programme. During the 2012-2013 school year this offer was filled by two students from IES Marc Ferrer, of whom one satisfactorily completed the course and received a diploma.

The Alter programme has existed as an educational alternative for Formentera youth since the 2008-2009 academic year. It is managed by a social education specialist of the Office of Social Welfare's family care centre. Fourteen students have participated since the programme's start in 2008, and a total of 10 have received diplomas certifying their successful completion.

The most requested training routes are for car and motorscooter mechanics, restaurant wait staff, cooks, gardeners and hairstylists.