Don't Raise the UK School Leaving Age to 18!
Target:
Alan Johnson, Rt Hon MP, UK Education Secretary
Sponsored by:
The UK Government plans to raise the school leaving age from 16 - 18 years old by 2015.
All 16-18 year olds will have to stay in school, training or workplace training once this legislation goes through. All the names of the 16 and 17 year olds will be recorded in a database to allow local authorities to track their attendance. Those already in employment will be forced to participate in training one day each week.
Proposed sanctions for those who do not attend may include ASBO-like 'attendance orders', £50 on-the-spot fines, confiscation of driving licences and ultimately prosecution.
This petition calls for a stop to these ridiculous proposals and says 'NO' to raising the school leaving age.
All 16-18 year olds will have to stay in school, training or workplace training once this legislation goes through. All the names of the 16 and 17 year olds will be recorded in a database to allow local authorities to track their attendance. Those already in employment will be forced to participate in training one day each week.
Proposed sanctions for those who do not attend may include ASBO-like 'attendance orders', £50 on-the-spot fines, confiscation of driving licences and ultimately prosecution.
This petition calls for a stop to these ridiculous proposals and says 'NO' to raising the school leaving age.
The UK Government plans to raise the school leaving age from 16 - 18 years old by 2015.
All 16-18 year olds will have to stay in school, training or workplace training once this legislation goes through. All the names of the 16 and 17 year olds will be recorded in a database to allow local authorities to track their attendance. Those already in employment will be forced to participate in training one day each week.
Proposed sanctions for those who do not attend may include ASBO-like 'attendance orders', £50 on-the-spot fines, confiscation of driving licences and ultimately prosecution.
This petition calls for a stop to these ridiculous proposals and says 'NO' to raising the school leaving age.
All 16-18 year olds will have to stay in school, training or workplace training once this legislation goes through. All the names of the 16 and 17 year olds will be recorded in a database to allow local authorities to track their attendance. Those already in employment will be forced to participate in training one day each week.
Proposed sanctions for those who do not attend may include ASBO-like 'attendance orders', £50 on-the-spot fines, confiscation of driving licences and ultimately prosecution.
This petition calls for a stop to these ridiculous proposals and says 'NO' to raising the school leaving age.
We, the undersigned, oppose the proposals to raise the UK school leaving age to 18. Our reasons for this are as thus:
1. We should be looking for the reasons why so many 16 year old currently wish to leave school early. If the Government can't keep them interested past 16 then how does two extra years help?
2. Young adults should be encouraged to stay on at school and should WANT to, not be forced into something they don't want. No one learns well when they're unhappy.
3. Problems such as bullying, school phobia, truancy, lack of discipline, violence, learning difficulties and disinterest are still rife as it stands, two more years of education/training will make things worse. Around 50,000 pupils miss school each day currently - that figure will only rise if young adults are forced to stay on. The Government spent £900 million on anti-truancy campaigns and the figures were hardly reduced.
4. It is ridiculous to suggest that 16 year olds may be allowed by law to have children and get married but not be allowed to leave school.
5. Training and further education opportunities are all available after leaving school at 16 anyway, and these options should be made more attractive to encourage people to participate as those who want to be in school etc. are more likely to learn and achieve the qualifications they've been working towards.
6. 16 children in the UK commit suicide each year due to problems with school. Forcing teenagers to stay in education for two more years may raise that already shocking figure.
7. Proposals for prosecution and community service orders for those who do not attend are preposterous. Currently community service is handed out to minor incidents of drink driving, theft, vandalism, assault, drug possession etc. Should we really be handing out the same punishment to young adults who don't attend education?
8. The increased amount of young adults staying on in school will mean either increased class sizes or more teachers. Which will it be? We are already suffering a shortage of teachers and how big will classes be increased to? More pupils means less one-to-one time with the teacher and with the subjects being more complex at this level of education, will this arrangement really help towards producing young adults with more qualifications?
This legislation is draconian, ineffective and will cause more problems than it will solve. It is a farce to claim that forcing unwanted education/training on 16-18 year olds will help our young people. These proposals are a way of "catching up" with other countries in the leaving age department - is it fair to take away young adults' choices about their future just to 'fit in?'
We say 'No' to rasing the leaving age, and we say 'Yes' to young adults having the right to choose!
Thank you for your time.
1. We should be looking for the reasons why so many 16 year old currently wish to leave school early. If the Government can't keep them interested past 16 then how does two extra years help?
2. Young adults should be encouraged to stay on at school and should WANT to, not be forced into something they don't want. No one learns well when they're unhappy.
3. Problems such as bullying, school phobia, truancy, lack of discipline, violence, learning difficulties and disinterest are still rife as it stands, two more years of education/training will make things worse. Around 50,000 pupils miss school each day currently - that figure will only rise if young adults are forced to stay on. The Government spent £900 million on anti-truancy campaigns and the figures were hardly reduced.
4. It is ridiculous to suggest that 16 year olds may be allowed by law to have children and get married but not be allowed to leave school.
5. Training and further education opportunities are all available after leaving school at 16 anyway, and these options should be made more attractive to encourage people to participate as those who want to be in school etc. are more likely to learn and achieve the qualifications they've been working towards.
6. 16 children in the UK commit suicide each year due to problems with school. Forcing teenagers to stay in education for two more years may raise that already shocking figure.
7. Proposals for prosecution and community service orders for those who do not attend are preposterous. Currently community service is handed out to minor incidents of drink driving, theft, vandalism, assault, drug possession etc. Should we really be handing out the same punishment to young adults who don't attend education?
8. The increased amount of young adults staying on in school will mean either increased class sizes or more teachers. Which will it be? We are already suffering a shortage of teachers and how big will classes be increased to? More pupils means less one-to-one time with the teacher and with the subjects being more complex at this level of education, will this arrangement really help towards producing young adults with more qualifications?
This legislation is draconian, ineffective and will cause more problems than it will solve. It is a farce to claim that forcing unwanted education/training on 16-18 year olds will help our young people. These proposals are a way of "catching up" with other countries in the leaving age department - is it fair to take away young adults' choices about their future just to 'fit in?'
We say 'No' to rasing the leaving age, and we say 'Yes' to young adults having the right to choose!
Thank you for your time.
We signed the "Don't Raise the UK School Leaving Age to 18!" petition!
# 540:
2:38 pm PDT, Jun 10,
Name not displayed, Virginia
Humans should have the right to choose for themselves what they want to do in life before the age of 18.
Humans should have the right to choose for themselves what they want to do in life before the age of 18.
# 539:
12:35 pm PDT, Jun 10,
Erin Johnson, Louisiana
This is crazy..why woyld u do that..it makes no sence b/c the teachers are the ones who make us want to drop-out any way
This is crazy..why woyld u do that..it makes no sence b/c the teachers are the ones who make us want to drop-out any way
# 538:
12:58 pm PDT, Jun 8,
Brandon Wyatt, New Zealand
# 537:
4:45 am PDT, Jun 7,
Name not displayed, Netherlands
freedom !
freedom !
# 536:
7:42 pm PDT, Jun 6,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 535:
2:14 pm PDT, Jun 6,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 534:
5:49 pm PDT, Jun 2,
Sonicphi Axe, Portugal
School should not be forced upon people if they dont want to, school is right not an obligation!
School should not be forced upon people if they dont want to, school is right not an obligation!
# 533:
8:07 pm PDT, May 30,
Ross Crammond, United Kingdom
Gordon Brown is a CUUUUNT!
Gordon Brown is a CUUUUNT!
# 532:
6:09 pm PDT, May 30,
C C Schenk, North Carolina
# 531:
6:35 am PDT, May 29,
Devon Webb, Pennsylvania
ok, adding 2 years to school isn't going to change anything at all. those who think its a joke will still think the same thing and those who try will still try so killing 2 more years of there life would b pointless.
ok, adding 2 years to school isn't going to change anything at all. those who think its a joke will still think the same thing and those who try will still try so killing 2 more years of there life would b pointless.
# 530:
7:57 pm PDT, May 26,
Name not displayed, Connecticut
I plan on getting a work visa and eventually permanent residence or even citizenship in the future. I plan on moving to the UK, so I think I should have a say in the way the educational law that my possible child(ren) will be subject to, and I believe that if they so choose, they should leave. I would be disappointed because they are not completing their education, but it is their life and not mine.
I plan on getting a work visa and eventually permanent residence or even citizenship in the future. I plan on moving to the UK, so I think I should have a say in the way the educational law that my possible child(ren) will be subject to, and I believe that if they so choose, they should leave. I would be disappointed because they are not completing their education, but it is their life and not mine.
# 529:
5:28 pm PDT, May 26,
Mark Dahlman, Ohio
Kids should not be forced tot go to school, especially when they are very depressed and on the verge of suicide... I HAD one friend in our school who actually hated it so much he well killed himself before the police could catch him and force him to attend school. This shows me as a person that somebody should not be forced to go to school and the effects school has on somebody already tough life. :(
Kids should not be forced tot go to school, especially when they are very depressed and on the verge of suicide... I HAD one friend in our school who actually hated it so much he well killed himself before the police could catch him and force him to attend school. This shows me as a person that somebody should not be forced to go to school and the effects school has on somebody already tough life. :(
# 528:
6:47 am PDT, May 26,
Mitzuka Torima, Texas
what's the point of raising the school age? If they left school/dropeed out it's their decision. The government has no right keep them in school.
what's the point of raising the school age? If they left school/dropeed out it's their decision. The government has no right keep them in school.
# 527:
2:05 am PDT, May 26,
Kyle McVay, United Kingdom
"All the names of the 16 and 17 year olds will be recorded in a database to allow local authorities to track their attendance." This cannot be allowed.
"All the names of the 16 and 17 year olds will be recorded in a database to allow local authorities to track their attendance." This cannot be allowed.
# 526:
1:34 am PDT, May 26,
Violet Winters, Australia
The forced education has been endured by those students long enough. At this age they are no doubt mature enough to make their own decisions. I oppose our children being turned into puppets.
The forced education has been endured by those students long enough. At this age they are no doubt mature enough to make their own decisions. I oppose our children being turned into puppets.
# 525:
12:26 pm PDT, May 25,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 524:
10:55 am PDT, May 25,
Name not displayed, Bahamas
this should not be so! they should have a choice!
this should not be so! they should have a choice!
# 522:
9:30 am PDT, May 24,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
This is stupid, students should be able to choose when they leave school because their job might not involve needing to go to 6th.
This is stupid, students should be able to choose when they leave school because their job might not involve needing to go to 6th.
# 523:
9:25 am PDT, May 24,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 521:
10:55 pm PDT, May 23,
Luca Smoliak, Israel
this is horrible . there alredy is enough forced edeucation , now this come on . i wouldent even let my chiled in that horror schools .
this is horrible . there alredy is enough forced edeucation , now this come on . i wouldent even let my chiled in that horror schools .
# 520:
6:15 am PDT, May 23,
Tantareanu Teodor-Antim, Romania
# 519:
4:37 pm PDT, May 22,
Amber Kansfield, Indiana
It's wrong, 16 year olds are old enough to make their own decisions, despite what the so called "grown ups" say.
It's wrong, 16 year olds are old enough to make their own decisions, despite what the so called "grown ups" say.
# 518:
6:43 am PDT, May 21,
Melissa Skeels, United Kingdom
Let them get on with life!
Let them get on with life!
# 517:
2:04 am PDT, May 18,
Alex B. Espo, Canada
I don't know about you, but I'd prefer two chavs to one lawyer or politician. WE DON'T NEED NO EDUCATION! Fight for your right to not go to school, EDUCATE YOURSELVES, because knowledge is power. NO MORE LAWS! LEGALIZE MEDICATE EDUCATE REGULATE. Those bums in government don't really want to educate you, they don't want to set you free! They want to groom you and control you, then they pick the most compliant and dedicated individuals for placement in the job market. A Workforce, social law, big corporations, = National Socialism. Oh my GOD! Nazis rule England. Don't believe the propaganda, politics doesn't affect everything. Politicks is a PARASITE on society and the environment. Money corrupts the most powerful men, the most powerful politicians are corrupted men. Corrupted men carry out the actions of Rich men with self-interests. "Power Corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Some men in great positions of political power hold the money supply and inflation in one hand and they have stolen from you. They have stolen your liberties. And your rights, your rights to FIGHT!!! FIGHT BACK ENGLAND! CLOSE THE CENTRAL BANK. END ALL WARS.
I don't know about you, but I'd prefer two chavs to one lawyer or politician. WE DON'T NEED NO EDUCATION! Fight for your right to not go to school, EDUCATE YOURSELVES, because knowledge is power. NO MORE LAWS! LEGALIZE MEDICATE EDUCATE REGULATE. Those bums in government don't really want to educate you, they don't want to set you free! They want to groom you and control you, then they pick the most compliant and dedicated individuals for placement in the job market. A Workforce, social law, big corporations, = National Socialism. Oh my GOD! Nazis rule England. Don't believe the propaganda, politics doesn't affect everything. Politicks is a PARASITE on society and the environment. Money corrupts the most powerful men, the most powerful politicians are corrupted men. Corrupted men carry out the actions of Rich men with self-interests. "Power Corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Some men in great positions of political power hold the money supply and inflation in one hand and they have stolen from you. They have stolen your liberties. And your rights, your rights to FIGHT!!! FIGHT BACK ENGLAND! CLOSE THE CENTRAL BANK. END ALL WARS.
# 516:
12:52 am PDT, May 18,
Normand Pageau, Canada
# 515:
12:22 pm PDT, May 17,
Gabriella Molina, United Kingdom
# 514:
10:00 pm PDT, May 14,
Ryan Was, California
What a stupid law. Give people the right to do what they want with their lives.
What a stupid law. Give people the right to do what they want with their lives.
# 513:
7:48 am PDT, May 14,
Sophie Brunt, United Kingdom
I think that this is a ridiculous idea. We should have the freedom and the right to choose our own paths and decide what we want to do with our lives rather than a group of officals in an office who have no idea how bad our education system really is.
I think that this is a ridiculous idea. We should have the freedom and the right to choose our own paths and decide what we want to do with our lives rather than a group of officals in an office who have no idea how bad our education system really is.
# 512:
3:21 am PDT, May 13,
Marcus Porter, United Kingdom
It is bad enough that we ARE FORCED BY LAW to go to school,why should we stay longer if we are just going to forget the bulk of the information you have insstilled into our minds.We are not stupid,why should we play up to your brain games? 16 NOT 18!!!!!!!!!!!
It is bad enough that we ARE FORCED BY LAW to go to school,why should we stay longer if we are just going to forget the bulk of the information you have insstilled into our minds.We are not stupid,why should we play up to your brain games? 16 NOT 18!!!!!!!!!!!
# 511:
1:19 pm PDT, May 12,
Eugene Roche, United Kingdom
I think it is ridiclous making people stay in school until 18 im 16 and leaving this year and I can't wait if I was to stay for longer i'd fail my GCSE's as I can't take being treated liek a crinimal at schools. Teachers think they have authority over you.
I think it is ridiclous making people stay in school until 18 im 16 and leaving this year and I can't wait if I was to stay for longer i'd fail my GCSE's as I can't take being treated liek a crinimal at schools. Teachers think they have authority over you.
# 510:
6:03 pm PDT, May 11,
Kristen Martin, Texas
# 509:
10:33 am PDT, May 10,
Name not displayed, Canada
This is a horrible decision. The government has too much control over people's lives. If anything, they should lower the age. We shouldn't have to do everything they think is "right" if it doesn't actually help you whatsoever. Please, we need to stop this from happening.
This is a horrible decision. The government has too much control over people's lives. If anything, they should lower the age. We shouldn't have to do everything they think is "right" if it doesn't actually help you whatsoever. Please, we need to stop this from happening.
# 508:
7:15 am PDT, May 10,
Angela Hill, United Kingdom
Ridiculous
Ridiculous
# 507:
11:34 am PDT, May 9,
Raven Hoyle, North Carolina
# 506:
8:52 am PDT, May 9,
Dirty Sanchez, Missouri
# 505:
4:40 pm PDT, May 8,
Name not displayed, California
This is unfair, people shouldn't be tracked down like this
This is unfair, people shouldn't be tracked down like this
# 504:
10:33 am PDT, May 8,
Tri Tran, Viet Nam
hi i like pie my name is tri i save trees
hi i like pie my name is tri i save trees
# 503:
7:00 am PDT, May 8,
Mariano Wallace, Georgia
leave those kids alone. there are a whole bunch of more important things to to than restrict some kids privelage of dropping out whenever they want at the age of 16. its just sick and being a bully to even suggest such a thing. i am deeply offended by such a proposal.
leave those kids alone. there are a whole bunch of more important things to to than restrict some kids privelage of dropping out whenever they want at the age of 16. its just sick and being a bully to even suggest such a thing. i am deeply offended by such a proposal.
# 502:
2:20 am PDT, May 8,
Stavros Skamagkis, Greece
# 501:
1:08 am PDT, May 8,
Raymond Lydiard, United Kingdom
