Teenagers from poor families in Northern Ireland are four times more likely than the well-off to quit school as soon as possible, according to a report out today.
But the study also discovered a payment scheme brought in to keep them in the classroom longer was enticing half of those from cash-strapped backgrounds.
Researchers from the Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive (ARK) assessed the influence of the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
The scheme, introduced in 2004 to improve educational participation, retention and achievement, offers up to £30 a week to young people from households with an income of under £30,000.
In its first year more than 10,400 16-year-olds applied at a cost of £9 million.
The study into EMA's impact — part of a joint project between Queen's University and the University of Ulster — found 30 per cent of respondents' decision to stay in education was influenced by the allowance.
The report, To Stay or Not to Stay: That is the Question, used data from the 2005 Young Life and Times province-wide survey of 16-year-olds.