Raise school-leaving age: Minister

29/5/02
Education Minister Alan Carpenter wants to raise the age at which Western Australian students are permitted to leave school.
Speaking at a Budget estimates committee hearing in State Parliament today, Mr Carpenter said it was his personal view that children should be required to stay at school at least until the end of the year in which they turn 16, and preferably until the end of the year in which they turn 17.
The current requirement is for children to stay at school until the end of the year in which they turn 15.
Mr Carpenter said too many young Western Australians were taking the earliest possible opportunity to leave school.
He said a higher compulsory school age would require some major systemic changes to the education system.
"I do not think we should be forcing children to stay longer in a system which is not meeting their needs," he said.
"We need a double focus for this to work. Legislation to raise the school-leaving age will get my support, but it will need to happen hand-in-glove with a much closer working relationship between WA schools and TAFE colleges.
"In my view, young Western Australians should stay in formal training and education, ideally with the opportunity for a mix between vocational and academic studies, until they are 17, to raise their long-term career prospects.
"I would like to see children and young adults have the option of spending, for example, two days a week at school, two days a week at TAFE, and one day a week in the workforce.
"Right now we do not have that level of flexibility, and I believe that is one of the main reasons why so many young people are leaving school early."
Mr Carpenter said he wanted the Labor Party and other political parties, as well as the community at large, to debate the pros and cons of raising the school-leaving age and breaking down the barriers between the school system and TAFE colleges.
Minister's office: 9213 6800