This thesis investigates the youth on Bornholm who do not have an education and their perception of previous, - current and future educational endeavors. It examines how their experiences contribute with new knowledge to educational initiatives that are constructive so that the 95 % is achieved. The thesis contributes with new knowledge about how the 95 % aim can be achieved on Bornholm. The new knowledge is generated through the experiences of the youth regarding lack of education and their physical location on Bornholm. The focus has been to highlight the narratives and perceptions of the youth regarding the reasons they did not complete am education. I chose a qualitative method design since this method investigates peoples understanding of their life world (Kvale, 1997). The purpose of my thesis has been to give the youth the possibility to explain and expand upon their perspectives of their life world. This youth perspective is crucial if we are to understand the lives and conditions of these youth – and how we can use their knowledge to achieve the 95% aim.
The empirical data consists of 9 qualitative interviews with youth from Bornholm in the ages of 17-23 years of age. Their common traits are that all of them have not completed an education; they all live on Bornholm and they are all students of Bornholms Højskole from October 2012 to April 2013. Before entering Bornholms Højskole, the nine youth were either on or at risk of being on welfare. The data from the Youth Educational Counseling Bornholm has simultaneously been included in this study.
The study shows that while the 95% aim´s focus on the rest group is crucial, the actual view of the youth as a homogenous group would be essential in the continuous work. This rest group problematic is very complex. The youth are perhaps very alike in terms of their attitudes and perceptions of their own situation but the reasons for their perceptions are completely different. At the same time, the study shows that instead of the unilateral “academisation” of the educational system, - new and more flexible initiatives must submerge if the 95% aim is to succeed.