Should teenagers be forced to stay at school until they're eighteen?

Question

Teenagers could be forced to stay at school until they're eighteen.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson's looking into it as a way of improving
Britain's staying-on rates

Is it right or wrong and why?

Answer 1

I think it's a good idea, but I don't think it's right.

Everyone is still entitled to their rights, however, children have to live by their parents rule until they are (in my country) 16, and most people don't graduate until they are 17 or 18, so technically, you would be infringing on someone's rights if you forced them to stay. Then it would really feel like jail. BUT - there are so many people who drop out, party it up, then go back, only to be behind in life. (And some don't go back). My parents made me stick it out when I felt like quitting, and I think it really helps build who a young person is. Teaches responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. (and gives you a good sense of work ethnic)...

Answer 2

definitely not, if they haven't learnt enough by 15 years of age they wont learn anyway unless of course they have a learning difficulty then they need further education in the skills they are lacking. It is wrong to tar every one with the same brush. However it is a good idea to bring back national conscription for at least three years. Having served 22 years myself I've seen people come and go and believe me they are better people after serving a short time in the forces, male and female. The services are like a sort of school only with hands on experience. The difference between school and the services is that at school you are learning for yourself ie; how much you can cram into your head, in the services you all work as a team you don't move on until you all understand therefore the quick learners help the less quick learners and in doing so become instructors/teachers, I could go on but suffice it to say you can see the good the services would be other than normal school and it is no good saying we will make it a higher school because what does a pupil want to do ( leave school) well a majority do

Answer 3

Ok, I'm not in Britain, but if a kid has already completed all the grades and they happen to be 17, are they going to force them to take senior year over? How does that work? Why wouldn't you let them go to college?

What's the definition of staying-on rate? Haven't heard that term before.




I was reading below, a lot of people are saying yes. Well, what do you do about those who's birthdays at the beginning of the school year? For example, I was 18 at the beginning of October of my senior year, (missed that darned kindergarten deadline by a couple weeks). So with this way of thinking, I could have just left. You still would have a lot of kids out there that haven't completed highschool. And frankly, these days, if you didn't finish highschool, or you only finished highschool you're still not going to find a very good job.

Answer 4

It's wrong, children have very little tolerance for school at the moment, making them stay longer will only make the education system look flawed.

Also it has to be taken into consideration that there More young mothers/parents so is the government going to fund childcare to allow these people to stay in school?

AND we always need untrained people to do certain jobs, cleaning etc if these people are taken away from the work place what will happen?

ALSO teenagers are given the choice to stay on at school for free until they are 19, surly the people who want to continue their schooling do so already?

People are saying this will cut down the rate of unemployment, but this is just a way of manipulting statistics, they are still jobless!

Answer 5

Yes I think kids should be made to stay on till they are 18.

Maybe some exceptions should be made for those that have apprenticeships or college courses but other than that the rest should stay in school.

I was encouraged to stay on by my parents and I will do the same to my daughter.

Only thing is tho, some families cannot support their kids through school and they are forced to leave and take jobs in Maccy's - maybe the Government should look at why kids what out of school so soon - some teachers are sub standard!

Answer 6

Wrong... you can force them to stay, BUT you cannot force them to learn. In fact, this action would most likely just disrupt the other students who are actually there for an education and want to learn. Why make them stay if it will only cause misery to them and others? In fact, what would be the point of forcing them to attend if they are not there to learn? I know that some people use school as a babysitter, but for a sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen year old??? That is crazy. School is for instruction and learning... not daycare of delinquents!!! While I don't like the idea of them "ditching" school to be lazy... I don't like the idea of them interfering with another student's right to an education.

Answer 7

I think its a good idea but only if the pupil hasn`t secured a college place or a prospective job , not a dead end job ie mcdonalds or burger king etc , too many teens are wandering the streets aimlessly they could be bettering themselves still by more education . Some pupils will qualify for the EMA ( education maintenance allowance ) so they shall be getting a little money for preparing to keep on learning . ( I think its around £30-£40 per week with bonus for perfect attendance , depending on parents incomes )

Answer 8

It has been proved in other countries, that forcing teenagers to stay at school until 18 yrs old, doesn't do anything for them or the school itself.
Some of them want to leave school as soon as possible. When they are forced to continue their studies they will only do it to fulfil the law. And in situations as these, students that are forced to stay in school only create more problems to the institution and to other students that really want to take their education further. In the end, you may have a country with good staying-on rates, but in fact it is all a big huge lie. If they want to drop-out, they should as long as they work, and make their contribution to society, rather than asking for benefits.

Answer 9

If by school he just means education of some sort, whether vocational, apprenticeships or possibly re-sits for people who got bad grades at GCSE aged 16, as well as the traditional A-levels then it might not be SUCH a bad idea.

Although, personally, I don't think forcing them to stay on if they don't want to is the right way to go about it.

Answer 10

I think they should be yes! So many kids out there now a days do not try to finish things... School for one. The laws set up now are just keeping them from making a mistake in the future. I feel it is necessary for a child to attend school. I understand there are many who did not graduate... and I see they have also regretted not finishing school. I know you can go back or take a GED and I think that is good that they have that in force to but I feel a child needs to be educated at an early age. I feel they need to have the experiences of school, rules, learning, responsibility, reliability, etc.

If people start saying that children should not be required to stay in school to graduate then honestly this world is going to go hay wire!