Yesterday we had John Key give out his promises to act on youth crime. The policies were good, if they leave school early then give them (limited) free education at Polytech and other tertiary providers, or they can go off to work. Basically, encouraging them to do something with their lives rather than bum around at home bludgeoning off the DPB forever.
Helen Clark on the other hand this morning announced changing the education age. The school leaving age is currently 16, but she wants to change it so then you have to stay in education until you are 18. You can go to work, but you have to be in education as well. But then Clark hasn’t even said that they would subsidise going to Polytech for younger students, which Key has. Does she expect these people to get a student loan? Where is the incentive?
Did she forget that sometimes work provides decent qualifications. At least Key allows for education or work, unlike Clark’s education or education.
Key then went on to say what he would do to curb youth crime. A modern day boot-camp sounds good, but not sure about extending jail sentences. Look at our jails, they are a joke. All that it’ll teach them is that if you ever need accommodation, food and shelter for free you just commit some form of crime. Awesome. At least the boot-camp system isn’t a one off “go to boot camp” and then run off again to do more crime with your new found boot-camp abilities, but is followed up with support and mentors.
I think Clarks raised leaving age is supposed to have the intention to curb crime, but no, we already have people truant and disruptive under the age of 16, it would just make things worse if they were to stay in the education system for longer when they would probably be happier just getting a job.
If anything, whatever Clark says now will fall on many deaf ears. How long has she had in office, and how long were the warning signs there? This year we have already had 10 homicides, many of which were caused by youth. And she’s only addressing this now, after eight years?
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