Increasing school age

One of the proposals of the new Alberta School Act is to increase the age of attendance in schools. Superintendent Brodziak said at the last school meeting that he preferred the system that we currently have, in which students over the age of 18 have to request permission to return. The division can the assess their reasons and accept or deny them.

I am a supporter of free public education for both children and adults, which is available in many countries in the world and therefore is financially manageable (but thats another topic), however I believe that Brodziak is right on this one.

We do have to question why the 21 year old wants to go back to public school. If it is simply to get their high school diploma because they now, as and adult, know the value of education ... then yup they should be back and yes I believe we as tax payers should cover the costs.

However chances are equally good that the 21 year old is there to sell drugs. Nobody wants to say that but its very likely. High school kids and young adults are the main consumers of drugs and as a business person it would make sense to be available to the market.

However, I would take it one step further and question if high school should be mandatory at all. All kids interested in taking school at this level should have to make a similar commitment. If a 16 year old really doesn't want to be in school, then maybe it would be better for him or her to go out and get a job for a few years and decide what they really want. Perhaps it is time to get rid of forced education for choice education.