New school-leaving age legislation keeps more students in education and training

22/01/07
Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan has heralded the success of the State Government's landmark school leaving-age legislation.

Mr McGowan today released new figures, which show a 5.4 per cent jump in the number of students staying on at school in Year 11 compared with previous years.

"The figures show 91.6 per cent of the number of students who began in Year Eight in 2003 remained in school at Year 11, compared with the 86.2 per cent of students in the previous four years," he said.

"What is more pleasing is that we know 97 per cent of all 16-year-olds in the State are at school, in training, have an apprenticeship or traineeship, or are employed.
"We estimate that this was only about 88 per cent in previous years.
"The retention of indigenous students in Year 11 has increased to 75.8 per cent compared with 54 per cent in previous years, which is another great result."
The Minister said the Western Australian Parliament passed legislation in November 15, 2005 to raise the school leaving age to 16 in 2006 and 17 in 2008, representing the most important change in the State's education system in 40 years.

"The legislation followed extensive community consultation and a vision for all young people to be prepared for life through education and training," he said.

"From the beginning of 2006, 16-year-olds were legally required to be at school, studying full-time at TAFEWA, in a traineeship, an apprenticeship or employed in a job with genuine career prospects.

"The new figures on students' participation in schooling, training, apprenticeships or traineeships, or approved employment, are proof the legislation is working."

Mr McGowan said that if children turned 16 in 2007, they would need to be enrolled in full-time study, an apprenticeship or training, or employed in an approved job.

"We want all WA students to achieve their best," he said.
"No young person is to be left behind. Employers today expect their workers to be literate, numerate and competent. There is no doubt that an extra year of education helps."

The Minister said the State Government had provided extra resources to schools to help tailor-make education and training programs for the estimated 1,800 students who otherwise would not have participated in some form of education or training.
The State Government also provided funds to employ staff to work with young people at risk of not continuing in education or training.
"They have supported more than 3,000 young people to stay on in education, training or employment," Mr McGowan said.

Minister's office - 9222 9111