I’ve found an article about the discussion around compulsory education in Ireland. Education Minister Paul Givan has proposed to make it mandatory for young people to remain in education or training until age 18.
Currently, around 14,000 young people in Northern Ireland are not in education, employment, or training, and Givan highlights that extending educational participation could impact this group positively. If implemented, young people would have options to continue in school, a Further Education (FE) college, or an apprenticeship.
While some students and teachers see this as a positive step, others raise concerns about the practicalities, especially for those from low-income backgrounds or with additional needs. There’s also a call for increased funding and reforms, particularly in support of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), to ensure the system can meet the diverse needs of all young people.
How to you think about it?