the disease is spreading.....

Scary, isn't it?

Scary and stupid. Children spend most of their time in school in some areas from the age of 3, constantly having to achieve and meet targets.

Is it any wonder why truancy rates are on the rise?

I am afraid that this is all part of the planned targets on the NEET group. The Government has decided to attack what it views as intergenerational state dependency culture and its prime targets are young people who are not in education, employment or training ( hence NEET). Up until quite recently i was involved in some research in this area within the most economically deprived areas in Scotland and I must agree that something needs to be done to tackle this. There are 2 sometimes 3 generations of famillies out there where no one works or has ever worked. The kids see leaving school and going on benefits as the culmination of their lifes achievements. However and this is a big however, I strongly disagree with the way the government has set out to tackle this problem. Criminalising individuals ( the way ASBO's currently can) without them ever having committed a crime is not the way to help these individuals but then again neither is the governments other plan, this involves giving large grants to the not-for-profit, charitable and private sector to engage with this group and to work with them to eventually get them into work. Having worked in this sector conducting research I know that each and every daft idea is doomed to faliure. The organisations involved come up with some really strange schemes - taking these NEETs on bike rides, out for pizzas etc. The notion seems to exist within the sector that somewhere beyond planet earth through rose coloured spectacles if you are nicey nicey to these individuals and paint the world in pretty colours they will want to be part of it. They dont care how long it takes because the longer the better as this will mean funding for the next year for the organisation. Its all about playing with statistics - I have witnessed one person getting a job and about 6 different organisations all claiming the one person as a positive outcome and this going towards meeting their targets. Its all smoke screens and mirrors again - something new labour appear very adept at using.

Have a great day NG

yeah because it's the badge of honour asbo it's not so effective..... they fine the parents not the kids .... so what happens when the parents can't afford it?
we need to get kids to engage. I work with teenagers and it is bloody hard work and not a nice job but if everyone sees them as yobs we must avoid then what is the country gonna be like in 5 or 10 years time. We shouldn't be afraid of teenagers ... we need to find a way to remove their power in society and tap into their feelings and insecurities the reasons behind truancy and anti social behaviour!

Interesting one. I opted out of school at 17 but moved on to an apprenticeship which also included school (we have a dual system, i.e. 3 days on the job and 2 days job college).

My niece here in Scotland opted out at 16 in order to work at Dorothy Perkins as an unskilled worker. This, I found a shame!

Thankfully she has now, at 18, changed her mind and enrolled to a Beauty College.

It`s probably very tempting for a youngster to leave school in order to earn their own cash, but they will live to regret it!