ESF+ project in Portugal helps reducing the rate of early school leaving

A dual certification courses scheme, funded by the European Social Fund, has helped to considerably reduce the rate of early school leaving in Portugal, which stood at 18.9 % at the beginning of 2014. By the end of 2020, it was 8.9 % – already below the 10 % goal defined by European and national targets set to be achieved in 2023.