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).