Staying in Education or Training Until the Age of Eighteen
| Published: 6th March 2007 23:37 |
Nine out of ten people support the idea of staying in education or training until the age of 18 - with the strongest support coming from grandparents - according to research published today by Education Secretary Alan Johnson.
In a speech to the Sector Skills Development Agency Mr Johnson highlighted the research which shows public support for extending compulsory education.
The research shows that:
- nine in ten people support the proposal that young people should stay in education or training until age 18.;
- three quarters strongly agree with the proposal with the 81% of the 25 to 34 age group agreeing strongly and the strongest support coming from the Yorkshire/Humberside region;
- those in the older age groups are most likely to link prolonged education to higher wages, with strong agreement from 75% of 55-64 year olds and 70% of those in the 65+ age group;
- nearly 97% of grandparents said they would like their grandchildren to stay in education or a form of work-based training until they are at least 18;
- two thirds of respondents (66%) agree that staying in education until 18 should be made a legal requirement;
- more women than men were for a change in legislation - 70% against 61% respectively;
- the highest support for a law requiring everyone to stay in education or work-based training until 18 is among the older age groups. More than half of those in the 55-64 and 65+ age groups agree strongly that the Government should change the law.
The Education Secretary said raising the education leaving age had long term benefits for individuals, society and the economy, plugging the skills gap and boosting life chances.
He said gaining five GCSE's not only added £200,000 to a person's lifetime earnings, but evidence showed that the older a person is when they leave education, the less likely they will be to use drugs, become engaged in prostitution or commit crime.
The green paper will be published shortly and a consultation period will follow.
For further information contact 0870 000 2288 or email
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