When Should They Leave?

Te Ao Hou, March 1966, Page 9

When Should They Leave? The question as to when a pupil should leave school bothers some parents. More and more parents are keeping their children longer at school, often at considerable sacrifice, so that they will have the chance to sit for school certificate. This is a very commendable trend, although parents should not be misled into believing that a school certificate pass is more or less automatic for those who stay long enough. Actually only one third of all school-leavers in New Zealand have school certificate or a better qualification when they leave school. Sometimes pupils are kept on far too long in the vain hope that they will get their school certificate. Where there is doubt, the best people to see are the school principal and the careers adviser. Generally, where a pupil is making progress and benefiting from his schooling, he should stay on. But other things, such as the age of the pupil, may have to be considered. This is particularly important in the case of boys wanting to enter apprenticeships. Would a further year at school offset the disadvantage of starting an apprenticeship a year later? This is the sort of problem faced by some parents. Teachers know the progress of the pupils, and the careers adviser, or the vocational guidance officer if one is available, knows the conditions attaching to various occupations. It is not an easy problem, and many factors have to be considered; but parents should not hesitate to seek advice. I believe that all teachers have had experience of time-wasters whose time at school is doing them no earthly good, and who may as well be out learning a trade and earning their keep. What I have said in this article is the result of my own experience. Careers advisers in other schools may have different problems and other ideas, but all careers advisers are there to help pupils make the most of their educational and occupational opportunities. I would urge all parents with teenagers at secondary school to consult the careers adviser on any problem touching this aspect of their children's lives.