NO - Alison Alexander, manager, South Central Connexions
Young people are clearly individual. Therefore to impose a blanket ruling that all young people should remain in education until 19 is neither responsive nor enabling. We should be collectively seeking to ensure our next generation is empowered and makes informed decisions about the choices available at the time they need to make them. Our role is to ensure young people recognise the values of learning and are enthusiastic about engaging with it. Connexions is committed to providing all young people with the information they need to make such informed choices.
Rather than making education compulsory until the age of 19, surely we would be better investing in employers by enabling them to make formal and informal learning available to their young employees. This proposal would have wider implications that the Department for Work and Pensions would need to consider, especially benefits for those whose parents are not working.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
