Reading this QOTW got me thinking.
I wasn't the best behaved boy at school nor the most studious. However I put in enough effort to get half decent grades, go to university and I now have a decent job. However many answers realte a certain amount of pride in avoiding education and consequently it's benefits.

Although it gets a lot of abuse this country's education system is good and it's free to the masses.

Therefore is it fair to say that if an individual fails to take advantage of what's freely offered to them then they should be left to fend for themselves with no governemnet support.

Discuss in no more than 250 words, to be handed in on Thursday.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 11:51, 10 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

In 2
I agree.
(bamboozled Can hear you getting fatter, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:09, Reply)

No apostrophe in "its benefits".
Also, you're assuming that those people at whom education is aimed are capable of making well-informed, rational and wholly autonomous decisions. Since no child is capable of this, and, without education, is likely to become capable, it's hard to see how your claim applies.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:26, Reply)

Enzyme was being nice as well
There's at least a couple of basic spelling errors...

See me after class please!
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:30, Reply)

Hurrah!
I would quite happily learn forever, were it not that I require food and lodging; I plan to start another degree with the Open University as soon as I find the time (i.e.: the middle of March, when I will be less busy).

I'm frequently appalled by those who shun knowledge; those who don't accept responsibility for themselves have no place demanding their 'rights'.

In a previous job, a number of us were required to wear gas masks (though that may seem something of a non-sequitur, this is going somewhere).

The chap who came to educate us on these devices was fairly erudite and entertaining; he regaled us for half an hour or so on the legalities, correct usage and purpose of these things. Everyone sat quietly and listened, just as they did at school. It seems that they learned about as much, because, during the subsequent break for coffee, I heard nothing but abuse for the man who had just taken pains to inform us of everything we could possibly want to know. According to my cohorts, none of it had been required save the part where we were told where to fasten the straps. I can only assume that the remainder of the presentation was detracting from the valuable time in which they would normally have been pounding their heads against industrial machinery. At least they were working, I suppose. Under protest.

I no longer work there, for the project was finished ahead of schedule owing to a blatant disregard for following safety procedures.

I think I'm over the specified word count, but since very little of it was actually answering the question posed in favour of posting a rant in illustration of yours, I shall consider my assignment complete.

I expect to see a '3/10, see me' scrawled here shortly.
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:39, Reply)

Not directly related
but my mantra to Sweary junior is this:

I don't care what you do when you reach the age of 16. As long as you do something.

Doing fuck all is not an option.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:40, Reply)

I agree,
but I think some people need to be made aware of the consequences of not taking advantage of free education. Most kids are living in a bubble, we all did.
(knackerz is skinning up, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:42, Reply)

Try telling that
to a hormonal, stroppy 12 year old though!
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 4 Feb 2009, 13:22, Reply)

Beat it into him
with a slipper. It's the only way.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 13:34, Reply)

My youngest sister has been spoilt rotten all her young life.
But she realises that if she wants to live as an adult in the manner in which she has been brought up, (wants for nothing), then she'd better get a well paid bloody job.

Can't say this would work for everyone though.
( girlinthehole, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 14:12, Reply)

When my kids start trying to fluff off school or homework,
I just drive them through really poor neighborhoods and tell them that is what they will become if they don't do thier homework or if they break the law.

So far it has scared them shitless.
but then, they do love going to school and get quite upset when they have to stay home sick, or even for vacation
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Wed 4 Feb 2009, 19:03, Reply)