New proposed subjects may sway number of early leavers

The government's new plan to introduce industry led subjects for senior students has the potential to stem the flow of early exits from school, a principal says. The number of students leaving school before the legal age of 16 has been trending upwards for the last decade. Those who leave have to get an early leaving exemption once they are 15. The government today announced it would introduce nine industry-led subjects in years 12 and 13 which may affect the number of early school leavers who go off into a trade or training. Chair of the Secondary Principals Council and Whangaparaoa College Principal Steve McCracken spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.