Should traditional schooling be reviewed? ?

Question

I've seen a lot of debate lately about how hard it is to get quite a number of teenagers to complete final years of school - and what to do.

Most of the suggestions come from people in the older age bracket and generally seem to be a view of the fact kids need to "pull their weight more" and "try harder".

But I think this is wrong.

Rather than trying to FORCE everyone to be at school and then go on to college and university - do you think it'd be an appropriate and better response instead to give those who don't WANT to be in school a choice - and instead, direct them to technical schools and trades?

It seems to me the general attitude is that you've done well if you DO finish school (as I did) - but if you leave early to be a tradesperson, you failed.

Yet - we lack skilled trades and workers.

So - should we overhaul school to give the option - those who want to stay, let them - those who want to go - let them, and direct them instead to more appropriate pursuits like a trade (plumbing, building, etc).

And - review the attitudes towards this so kids who WANT to work, not study, are supported - not belittled.

Sound like a good idea? If not - why not?

Answer 1

I never went to what people consider a traditional type school, my school was a progressive school. Bearing that in mind I do agree to a lot of what you are saying.

I left school with no qualifications, but I was taught how to survive. I surpassed that and had a good career in management.

Answer 2

There's a few schools around here in Brisbane - granted not many and I think they should be more - where non-academic kids can do some year 11 and 12 subjects and also TAFE subjects, after 2 years they get a Senior Certificate (non Uni one and no Uni entry scores) and either a traineeship or another 2 years to complete their apprenticeship depending on the course they're doing.

Finishing at year 10 and going onto a trade is no shame.  In fact it well suits a number of youngsters.

It's the ones that leave at or before grade 10 (especially in the really poor socio-economic backgrounds where it's high welfare etc) that live on welfare that it's like "d**n, it keeps going"

Answer 3

I think that the truancy policies are g*y. It's torturing the kids just for the benefit of the teachers! And if the kids want to grow up to be a janitor and want to wag school... then let them wag school and become a janitor for god's sake!