Bermuda increases school leaving age

The Bermudan government has risen the age for students leaving school.



Education Minister El James said as of September next year the new school leaving age will be increased from 16 to 18 years.



Mr. James said the decision to raise the school leaving age follows a damning report into the state of Bermuda’s the education system.



Raising the school leaving age was one of the 10 recommendations made in the report.



The Education Minister said keeping students in schools for longer will help to improve their access to skills training as well as further prepare them for life after school.



He said an examination of local employment statistics and interviews with local employers shows that there is a critical need for educational institutions to produce a more skilled labour force for Bermuda.