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MPs to debate school leaving age MPs debate raising of leaving age
(about 18 hours later)
MPs will debate plans to raise the school leaving age when the Education and Skills Bill receives its second reading in the Commons later on Monday. The government's plan to raise the education leaving age in England to 18 will fulfil a century-long ambition, Schools Secretary Ed Balls told MPs.
The bill will force all young people in England to stay in education or training until the age of 18. In the second reading debate on the Education and Skills Bill, he said it was "a landmark piece of legislation".
Making teenagers stay on is seen as essential to improving people's skills amid growing global competition. The bill will force young people to be in education or training for two years longer than now, to raise skill levels.
But critics say the government needs to make the curriculum more interesting to tempt young people to stay on. Tory spokesman Michael Gove said the aspiration was right but the compulsion in the bill was "regressive".
It has been called an "educational opportunity" bill by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and sets out the government's response to the Leitch Review which aims to achieve world class skills by 2020. Mr Balls echoed the words of Prime Minister Gordon Brown who first outlined the bill as something that would bring "educational opportunity" for all young people.
With it the government will legislate to raise the education leaving age to 18. It sets out the government's response to the Leitch Review which aims to achieve world class skills by 2020.
The bill will be condemned to failure unless the government tackles the reasons why young people drop out in the first place Andy Powell,Chief executive, EdgeThe bill will be condemned to failure unless the government tackles the reasons why young people drop out in the first place Andy Powell,Chief executive, Edge
The bill will apply directly to England, with talks about the rest of the UK. The bill will apply directly to England, with talks to be held about the rest of the UK.
In England by 2013, all pupils will have to stay in education or training until the end of the school year in which they turn 17. Mr Gove said: "Today we increasingly recognise that 16 is the age at which a young person can take control of their destiny.
By 2015, this leaving age will be raised to the 18th birthday. "It's an age at which an individual can marry, pay taxes, volunteer for national service, consent to sexual relations and so on.
The education charity Edge argues the government will need to overhaul the curriculum if the bill has any chance of succeeding. "So it's ironic that just as social trends are moving towards giving individuals more freedom, autonomy and respect at 16, the government proposes to deny freedom and autonomy in respect of education or employment."
'Noble'
The education charity Edge has argued that the government will need to overhaul the curriculum if the bill has any chance of succeeding.
Edge chief executive Andy Powell said: "The government's bill to raise the education leaving age to 18 has a noble objective.Edge chief executive Andy Powell said: "The government's bill to raise the education leaving age to 18 has a noble objective.
"But the bill will be condemned to failure unless the government tackles the reasons why young people drop out in the first place."But the bill will be condemned to failure unless the government tackles the reasons why young people drop out in the first place.
"For some young people, a curriculum based on the traditional timetable of academic subjects continues to be the best option. They respond well to learning by listening and reading."For some young people, a curriculum based on the traditional timetable of academic subjects continues to be the best option. They respond well to learning by listening and reading.
"However, many young people are bored and uninspired by education pre-16. A third of young people drop out because they think it's boring and irrelevant.""However, many young people are bored and uninspired by education pre-16. A third of young people drop out because they think it's boring and irrelevant."
Pupils' boredom Parental duty
Edge wants to see all children entitled to practical learning opportunities at school, more apprenticeships for young people and better careers advice.Edge wants to see all children entitled to practical learning opportunities at school, more apprenticeships for young people and better careers advice.
The bill includes a duty on young people to comply with this regulation - and also a duty on their parents "to assist their children to participate". The bill includes a duty on parents "to assist their children to participate".
This raises the prospect that parents as well as children will face legal responsibilities to ensure attendance until the age of 18.
But the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) says that this will not mean parents facing truancy-type fines.But the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) says that this will not mean parents facing truancy-type fines.
Instead, if they deliberately obstruct their children's attendance they could face parenting orders. Pupils who fail to comply are expected to face fines or community service, rather than prison. Instead, if they deliberately obstruct their children's attendance they could face parenting orders.
Pupils who fail to comply are expected to face fines or community service, rather than prison.
There will also be a duty placed on local authorities to ensure that young people participate up to the age of 18.There will also be a duty placed on local authorities to ensure that young people participate up to the age of 18.
Employers will also be required to release young people for the equivalent of one day a week of training.Employers will also be required to release young people for the equivalent of one day a week of training.
'Condemned'
Providers of education and training will be legally obliged to notify the local authority if young people fail to attend courses.Providers of education and training will be legally obliged to notify the local authority if young people fail to attend courses.
In adult education, "low-skilled adults" will have a statutory right to free tuition in basic literacy and numeracy.In adult education, "low-skilled adults" will have a statutory right to free tuition in basic literacy and numeracy.
A DCSF spokesman said: "It is nonsense to suggest that it is 'condemned to failure'.
"Independently-verified research has shown that the economic benefits could be up £2.7bn per cohort over the course of their lifetime.
"In addition, our reforms to the curriculum, the introduction of the new diploma and expansion of apprenticeships will ensure that there is something to engage every young mind."