It is often said that if you want to succeed in life, you need a proper education. While there may be arguments for making school compulsory until the age of 18 , I disagree that this should apply to everyone.
Perhaps the strongest reason for not leaving school early is that it prepares you for your working career. If you leave school early with only a basic education, you are unlikely to be able to find any skilled work. Indeed, the education you receive between the ages of 16 and 18 is crucial for anyone who does not want a lifetime of unskilled work in a factory.
Another compelling reason for remaining in school until 18 is that school provides moral and social education too. This is particularly important for people between 16 and 18 who have many temptations and benefit from the organised framework that school provides. Young people who stay in school until the age of 18 tend to be more responsible and help build a stronger society.
There are, however, equally strong arguments against making school compulsory until the age of 18. One such argument is that not everyone is academic and that some people benefit more from vocational training. For instance, someone who wants to become a car mechanic may find better training and more satisfaction in an apprentice scheme. Another related argument is that, in today’s world, young people are maturing ever more quickly and are able to make their own life decisions by the age of 16.
To my mind, everyone should be encouraged to stay in school until 18 both for social and career reasons. However, I believe it would be a mistake to make this compulsory bearing in mind that different people have different needs and abilities and the possibilities of other forms of vocational training.
人们常说，如果你想在生活中成功，你需要接受适当的教育。虽然有理由认为学校必须在18岁之前入学，但我不同意这应适用于每一个人的观点。
也许不早退学的最重要的原因是它为你的工作生涯做了准备。如果你过早地离开学校，只接受基础教育，你就不可能找到任何有技术性的工作。事实上，你在16岁到18岁之间接受的教育，对那些不想一辈子在工厂里从事非技术性工作的人来说是至关重要的。
18岁之前继续上学的另一个重要原因是，学校也提供道德和社会教育。这对于充满诱惑的16岁至18岁的阶段尤其重要，他们可以从学校提供的组织框架中受益。18岁以前一直留在学校的年轻人往往更有责任感，有助于建设一个更强大的社会。