Cut School Leaving Age to 14

StevieJ

Idiophreak wrote: »

It's certainly different, but my point was "what's essential?". Germans view English as fairly essential (although I'd dispute this is just so they can understand pop music) - generally in this country we view it as being less essential...but, personally, I still think it's a pretty good thing for children to learn.

I think you are missing the point, if you're immersed in a language you are likely to pick it up easier (unless your name is Tevez, although according to the Argies he also struggles with Spanish ). That reminds me of when I suggested to some Dutch friends that I fancy learning some Dutch, they had simple retort WHY?

chewmylegoff

jamespir wrote: »

actually i have done a lot of research into this as i am setting up a social enterprise to help those who have been let down by the education system

and 90% of school leavers in parts of wales have a lack or no basic skills and these include reading and writing

Oh I see. Why stop at 90%? I'm sure there are certain parts of Wales where 100% of school leavers have no "basic skills". Hardly relevant to a national strategy is it.

DavidJonas

Good idea.

Allot each child 14 years of free education and let them;

(a) drop out any time after 10 years of education. Any time they don't use up can then be used later in life, at adult schools. Children who don't want to learn and don't want to be at school at 14 can come back to complete their education when and if they are motivated to do so.

(b) Switch to vocational schools where they can stop (not) learning history and start learning to be plumbers, welders, etc.

Change the law if necessary so kids that drop out completely can get jobs in shops, etc. No reason a 14 year old can't stack shelves. Few things more likely to motivate them to go back to school quite frankly. However, no entitlement to benefits (apart from child benefit). They are still children after all.

Highly disruptive pupils can be suspended from the school system. They can then come back and complete their education when they have grown up a bit. Or when their family life is more settled.

Finally, I would suggest tailoring the other end too. You get 14 years of free education as a child and you can start it later than 5 if your parents don't think you're ready. They are the ones who will have to pay to keep you for another year, the child does better in school, everybody wins.

zenmaster

I left school at 14. Got 3 O levels (English, Maths and something else) and never looked back.

jamespir

chewmylegoff wrote: »

Oh I see. Why stop at 90%? I'm sure there are certain parts of Wales where 100% of school leavers have no "basic skills". Hardly relevant to a national strategy is it.

look if you gonna be an !!! run along

chewmylegoff

jamespir wrote: »

look if you gonna be an !!! run along

an excellent riposte. i am sure that the social enterprise you are setting up with be of great help to the educational voids of pontypool and will improve the debating skills of the welsh enormously.