Raising school age ‘not practicable’

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 3

Raising school age ‘not practicable’

Raising the school leaving age to 18 is “not practicable” at this time, and some pupils would not benefit from the extra years, according to some Christchurch secondary school principals. The principal of Hillmorton High School, Mr Ward Clarke, said that while he supported raising the leaving age it was not yet the right time, and “much more money” would be needed. When one-third of New Zealand pupils were leaving school without formal qualifications, the system needed reviewing, but raising the school leaving age now would create problems, said Mr Clarke.

More staff were needed now to help provide a more appropriate syllabus for some pupils, said Mr Clarke. One example of this was the sixth form where the abolition of the University Entrance examination had encouraged some pupils to stay.

“Transition to work” programmes were excellent, and should be extended, with schools and employers working in tandem, said Mr Clarke.

Pupils should possibly be paid as an incentive to stay at school longer, said Mr Clarke. Other school rules, such as wearing uniform, needed to be looked at as did provision of school facilities such as common rooms.

The deputy principal of Villa Maria College, Sister Anne McLaughlin, said it was not practicable to raise the leaving age to 18.

“There are a number of people who are better in the workforce, and some people are ready for a more adult environment. They might return to education later,” said Sister Anne.

The deputy principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, Mr Barry Maister, said much more secondchance education should be offered.

“Students returning to | Polytechnic or Hagley High School courses can find education that is much more relevant to their needs,” he said.

Mr Maister said he would find it hard to justify changing the leaving age, as the curriculum was not designed for it.