Holland’s four major cities are to reduce the number of youngsters that leave the education system without obtaining a diploma by 40% over the coming four years, reports news service ANP.

In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht around 9,500 young people leave college without a vocational training (MBO) diploma, representing 17% of the national total.
The government has allocated €71m extra a year until 2011 to tackle the early drop out rate and will reward schools that keep students in college with a €2,000 premium.
Schools and the local councils in the four cities will keep a closer eye on truants and give more help to weaker students.