I think I stopped believing in it a long time ago, but it's such a no-no, like saying that you don't believe in equality or democracy, that the thoughts didn't materialise in my mind.
But... I was listening to a psychiatrist on Radio Australia who described compulsory education as eleven years of involuntary detention, and that's exactly how I felt about my schooling. It, the school, was full of unprincipled, violent people in charge breaking the spirits of children who didn't want to be there.
Though here I am as an adult doing a mature degree and loving it.
How about letting children leave early with certain conditions. One, they can pass and get a certificate in basic literacy and numeracy, and in addition, either their parent's consent OR they can find a job.
But, they still have the right to eleven years of state education. So whatever years they have left, they can take as vouchers and use whenever they want.
Let them out into the world, the real world, party, party, party, fun, fun, fun... for a couple of weeks, then two years of burger-flipping on minimum wage. Then they can come back if they want and get more qualifications. And they will, motivated and focused. Yes, it will cost more as they'll need living costs paid until the vouchers are used up. BUT, it would be cheaper in real terms, because previously the state was paying for an education they were hell bent on refusing and wouldn't have finished, no benefit to them, no benefit to the state.
It benefits everyone.
1 - The ones that take the offer to leave, do so, have a taste of freedom and responsibility, then come back motivated and get qualifications they wouldn't have obtained otherwise. 2 - The ones who don't take the offer but stay for eleven continous years have an environment removed of those who resented being there, less disruption. 3 - Same benefit as for two for the teachers. 4 - The state would, over time, have more qualified people.
Yes. BAN compulsory education.
