I think they should be paid.

Honest work should be rewarded... regardless of age.

The government shouldn't get free labor just because it says so.

yeah that would be good too, ideally, the work should be in a field related to what the child wants to do and be paid at least the minimum wage.

Kasz explains my words correctly. The government shouldn't be making decisions for people, this then translates into not making parenting decisions for parents. If a parent chooses to not educate their child that is fine, but in modern society that should also conclude that they are unfit parents (homeschooling is obviously okay when within the confines of the educational curriculum).

I know of far too many cases where the child would simply not go to school. My mother is an educational welfare officer, ie - she takes parents to court if they haven't been sending their kids to school, and failed to meet targets, etc.

She probably has to deal with about 5 or 6 sets of parents each week (who often have far more than one child) who cannot be arsed to get their children into education. These people live off welfare, their friends and family all live off welfare, and they seriously do not value education, or indeed even care about their children enough to get off their fat, probably uncleanes, arses.

The only time the kids turn up to school is when the parents are finally threatened with legal action.

Now, my mum works as part of a team of about 5 or 6 EWOs, and they have these in pretty much every school in the country, there are far too many parents who wouldn't make the right decision simply because their selfish and lazy.

Oh, and, btw, this wasn't actually directed at you or your post, Kasz, it's just somewhat related so I quoted it. I know it doesn't actually address the post I quoted.

I know of far too many cases where the child would simply not go to school. My mother is an educational welfare officer, ie - she takes parents to court if they haven't been sending their kids to school, and failed to meet targets, etc.

She probably has

EDIT: Weirdest double post. Ever.

Hah, you sound like a lot of the more right wing radio people over here... kinda amusing all things considered.

Haha, well education is one of the most important things that a Government can provide, and, I believe, it is one of the most valuable things that someone can possess.

To miss out on it is awful for the individual and it has a negative effect on the community. So many life skills are picked up at school, as well as knowledge and logic, it's the best defence against ignorance out there.

But to miss out on it because your parents don't see the value in it/can't be bothered to send you to school is, well, one of the worst things that can happen to a child.

Damn, that's terribly ironic. I did SSL hours in Montana anyways and I assumed that the Maryland standard was the norm.

I completely agree with you, Education is one of the most important things that can be provided to its children.  The thing is this is provided by the government, not forced on you by the government.

I understand the dilemna that is presented with the stereotypical "welfare mom."  I am kind of torn on what the best way to deal with these problems as most of my solutions require contraversial changes to welfare or criminal system.

^It's not just welfare parents. My mother also has to deal with a lot of cases of spoilt children who don't go in because they don't want to.

Or parents who can't control their children.
Or people who managed to get lucky in life, and therefore can't see the point in education.

You also have a problem with wealthy parents who become to unattached from what the real world is like.