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Freedom and choice are important. 18 is a ridiculously high age to set as the end of compulsorary school.

Compulsorary school is a good idea for younger children, although choice should still be maximised. Parents, especially from poor families, may otherwise withdraw their child from education and this child will miss out. Doors with be closed for this child who will never have choice. Children may also have the influence of peer pressure pushing them towards leaving education, and short term thinking may lead them towards employment.

However, by 15-16, most teens have learned to stand up to the forces of people around them and make good decisions for the future. At this age, teenagers should have a choice.
School is not the right path for everyone. Many people find academic study too uninteresting and irrelevant to their life. By 14, many people know they are not interested in academic study. If they hate school and are getting nothing for it, why can't they leave and do something they enjoy, such as an apprenticeship or employment? School also struggles to provide for some groups, such as gifted children who often find school boring and easy. Many of these would benefit from teaching themselves at home rather than attending school, and this option should be open to them.

There are many different reasons why someone may not want to go to school, or may be getting no benefit from it. 18 is too old to be made' to attend school. Teenagers should be allowed to make their own decision.

Learn more about this author, Svetlana Elizabeth.
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