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12/01/2007
School leaving age 'to rise to 18'
The age at which young people leave school could be raised to 18, under new plans being considered by the government.
According to a report in 'The Times', the increase could be introduced by 2013.
The plans would not mean that pupils would have to continue with academic lessons, but would have to receive vocational training or undertake an apprenticeship until the age of 18.
If the plans are introduced, it would be the first time that the school leaving age has been raised since 1972, when it was increased to 16.
The government said that the proposals would help to tackle the problem of young people leaving school without qualifications or essential workplace skills.
The decline in unskilled jobs has been blamed for an increase in the number of 16-17-year-olds who are unemployed.
The Office for National Statistics said that the number of 16-17-year-olds who were unemployed had risen from 19.9% in 1997 to 25.3% now.
Speaking to 'The Times', Education Secretary Alan Johnson said: "It should be as unacceptable to see a 16-year-old working with no training, no education, as it is now to see a 14-year-old."
(KMcA)
According to a report in 'The Times', the increase could be introduced by 2013.
The plans would not mean that pupils would have to continue with academic lessons, but would have to receive vocational training or undertake an apprenticeship until the age of 18.
If the plans are introduced, it would be the first time that the school leaving age has been raised since 1972, when it was increased to 16.
The government said that the proposals would help to tackle the problem of young people leaving school without qualifications or essential workplace skills.
The decline in unskilled jobs has been blamed for an increase in the number of 16-17-year-olds who are unemployed.
The Office for National Statistics said that the number of 16-17-year-olds who were unemployed had risen from 19.9% in 1997 to 25.3% now.
Speaking to 'The Times', Education Secretary Alan Johnson said: "It should be as unacceptable to see a 16-year-old working with no training, no education, as it is now to see a 14-year-old."
(KMcA)
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