New school leaving age for South Australia

Plans to lift the school leaving age from 16 to 17 in 2009 and open the first of 10 new Trade Schools for the Future were outlined by Premier Mike Rann today as part of wide ranging measures to ensure all young South Australians are in school, training or work.

The $79.3 million ‘school to work’ reform measures to have all young people ‘learning or earning’ include:

* New ‘learning or earning’ school leaving age legislation to ensure all young people are in school, training or work until they turn 17, to be introduced into State Parliament next month.
* Three high-tech trade schools, delivering high-end, practical trade skills in the Eyre and Upper Spencer Gulf, Northern Adelaide and Western Adelaide regions starting from July this year, the first of a planned 10 trade schools across the State.
* A new high school certificate to enable more students to learn at school and beyond the school gate through TAFE, university or community work from 2011. Planning for reforms to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) is now underway.

“Dropping out of school to do nothing is no longer an option,” says Premier Rann.

“We want every young South Australian to be in school, training or meaningful work, not sitting at home on the couch, causing mischief or drifting without any real goals. Leaving school early increases their chances of failure and many go on to regret their decision later in life.

‘The reforms are our next steps as part of South Australia’s Strategic Plan to engage more young people in school, training or jobs.

“Our government made history when State Parliament passed legislation to raise the school leaving age from 15 to 16 from the start of 2003.

“The historic reform was supported with a $28.4 million investment in school retention initiatives and a mentoring program for 15 year-olds at risk of dropping out of school.

“We are getting results, taking our school retention rate from an all-time low under the Liberals to its highest level in a decade,” Mr Rann said.

“Our plan to lift the leaving age to 17 is a critical next step in our $79.3m ‘school to work’ package of education reforms to give every young South Australian the best chance of success in life,” Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said.

“However, teachers, parents and students themselves recognise that school does not suit all young people.

“Some students want to learn practical trade skills through TAFE or other education and training providers. The new leaving age will provide for this broader opportunity.

“Our new high school certificate will also be more flexible to allow for a greater range of activities, in addition to school, while the new trade schools offer a practical new opportunity to gain high level skills.

“A ‘school day’ for students could include traditional lessons, TAFE courses, part-time work, school-based apprenticeships, university studies, alternative education programs and community volunteer work.

“We are allowing a longer lead time to introduce the new leaving age measures from 2009 to assist Government, Catholic and Independent high schools to plan and develop further opportunities for senior students, including those at risk, as part of our investment in a new SACE.

“By accessing trade school programs, students will be able to gain their SACE with courses that offer skills in a specific area, giving young people a head start in future jobs, further education or apprenticeships,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.

‘Workforce forecasts suggest there will be a demand for more people with formal, higher level qualifications. We must not let young people slip through the cracks at a time when South Australia and the rest of the nation demands people with practical skills for real jobs.

The three Trade Schools for the Future will forge a link with TAFE and involve all high schools in each region, with at least one lead school in each area.

Northern Adelaide Trade School for the Future will operate from Parafield Gardens High School and specialise in areas including electronics, advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction, information technology and robotics. It will build on the strength of the Northern Adelaide State Secondary Schools Alliance.

Western Adelaide Trade School for the Future will operate from Le Fevre High School and target skills shortages in areas of engineering, electro-technology and construction, especially those related to air warfare defence. It will also include trade programs in transport, health and community services.

Eyre and Upper Spencer Gulf Trade School for the Future will operate from Edward John Eyre High School in Whyalla and Peterborough High School. It will focus on skills needed by the mineral resources industry and transport, health and community services.