SCHOOLS across Medway are offering pupils more than an education – a cash bonus for turning up.

More than 1,800 students are receiving up to £30 a week to persuade them to stay at school.

The Learning and Skills Council is currently rewarding 1,875 sixth form and college students in Medway with weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30 in return for regular attendance.

Students aged 16 or 17 who live in a household with an annual income of up to £30,000 can benefit from the Education Maintenance Allowance.

This year, more students are set to receive the incentives, which already cost the Learning Skills Council almost £3 million a year for Medway students.

The scheme, which was started in September, aims to encourage more young people to continue in further education and reduce the number of students who enter low-paid jobs or face unemployment.

It has also reduced the number of students looking for part-time work to help make ends meet while they study.

Students who take vocational courses such as NVQs and those studying for A-levels at school or college can apply for the allowance at any time throughout the academic year.

Trevor Fellowes, director of learner support at the Learning and Skills Council, said: “We are extremely pleased that

over 380,000 students in the UK are receiving EMA, many of whom wouldn’t have had the means to continue in education or training after their GCSEs.

“We expect this number to increase throughout 2006 and would encourage all young people who haven’t applied, to find out if they are eligible.

“We would also like to remind parents that EMA doesn’t affect any other family benefits and young people can still work part-time and receive cash while they learn.”

* Young people across England can pick up an application form from school, college, Connexions centres or by logging onto www.direct.gov.uk/ema