Start of the school year rings in major changes

01/02/06
The start of the 2006 school year today heralds the biggest change to education and training in Western Australia in almost 40 years, with the school leaving age now officially 16.
Premier Alan Carpenter said the change would see 2,220 young people who were expected to have dropped out of school this year remain in the education and training environment.
"Fifteen is simply too young to stop learning," Mr Carpenter said.
"For far too long we have had too many young people under-employed, not educated or trained to their full potential, and this brings with it all sorts of social costs that we simply cannot ignore.
"Keeping young people learning or earning for an extra year will boost their knowledge and skills and enable them to take advantage of the emerging jobs generated by WA's booming economy."
The Premier said that as of this year, 16-year-olds must be at school, studying full-time at TAFE, in a traineeship, an apprenticeship or employed in a job with genuine career prospects. The school leaving age would be raised to 17 in 2008.
"This change is not only in the best interests of all students but one that will help ensure WA's economy continues to thrive," Mr Carpenter said.
"An Access Economics report showed that students who left school early earned 20 per cent less than those who stayed on in education.

"Raising the school leaving age will see young people engaged in meaningful and ongoing learning so they can maximise their potential."
The Premier and Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich marked the start of the school year with a visit to Mt Lawley Senior High School, which is in the final stages of a $40million redevelopment.
"My Government is committed to building better schools and building brighter futures. We are spending a record $1billion on new schools, maintenance and upgrades," the Premier said.
The Carpenter Government will employ an extra 280 extra staff to help tailor education and training programs to meet the needs of the thousands of students who were expected to have dropped out of school this year.
"The Government is not just interested in keeping young people at school but in giving them a personalised education that suits their needs," Ms Ravlich said.
"The Youth Engagement and Participation (YEP) workers will make sure that students are learning, not just taking up a seat in a classroom."
The Premier also reminded parents to take advantage of the 'It Pays to Learn' allowance, which gives parents of students turning 16 and 17 between $200 and $400.
Premier's office: 9222 9475
Minister for Education and Training's office: 9213 6800