Thirty-nine regional report and co-ordination centres (RMCs) have been established to support youth in continuing their education and guiding their school-to-work transition. In addition, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science allocated funding for better guidance for students in their study and career choice; intensified collaboration between secondary, vocational and adult education schools; and stronger co-operation between a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, schools, trade unions and industry, social services and justice departments. The implementation of these policies has coincided with a decline in dropout rales from 5.5% in 2002 to 2.1% in 2013 (although sc issues may have contributed, as well).