Accrington Web - View Single Post

West Ender · 06-11-2007, 16:46

Education to the age of 18, and beyond, is available now for those who want it. Those who don't want it will not be made more academically minded by being forced to stay at school and they won't be made into better citizens either.

When I left school those of us at Grammar Schools couldn't leave until the age of 16 but the school leaving age was 15. There was that, now old-fashioned, system in place - the apprenticeship - and many a 15 year old school leaver entered into one and learned a trade. There was a sense of pride in having a job, earning a living (albeit often only just) and setting out on the road to a future as a craftsman/woman.

Now the apprenticeship has been replaced by short courses etc. and the work ethic has given way to the "I want it now" attitude. Making unwilling teenagers, who aren't going to study, stay at school for another 2 years will only reinforce the concept, to some, that there is no need to get out and make your way in the world as someone else will always pick up the tab.

06-11-2007, 16:46	#22
West Ender Passed away 25-11-09 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lymm, Cheshire Posts: 2,674 Blog Entries: 147 Liked: 2 times Rep Power: 193	Re: Raise The School Leaving Age? Education to the age of 18, and beyond, is available now for those who want it. Those who don't want it will not be made more academically minded by being forced to stay at school and they won't be made into better citizens either. When I left school those of us at Grammar Schools couldn't leave until the age of 16 but the school leaving age was 15. There was that, now old-fashioned, system in place - the apprenticeship - and many a 15 year old school leaver entered into one and learned a trade. There was a sense of pride in having a job, earning a living (albeit often only just) and setting out on the road to a future as a craftsman/woman. Now the apprenticeship has been replaced by short courses etc. and the work ethic has given way to the "I want it now" attitude. Making unwilling teenagers, who aren't going to study, stay at school for another 2 years will only reinforce the concept, to some, that there is no need to get out and make your way in the world as someone else will always pick up the tab. __________________ * Some cinemas let the flying monkeys in............and some don't.