By Michael Douvlis, Andriana-Theoni Nikolopoulou &  Agathi Tagari (A class)

  One of the most debated issues in education today is for how long it must be compulsory. The duration of the education varies in most countries. For instance, in some countries children must go to school until the age of 16 and in some others until the age of 18.

To start with, children who go to school until the age of 16 may not be that privileged. These students are thought to have more problems in finding a job. Should they find one, they might not have huge salaries, because they will undergo obsolescence due to the limited education they have. In addition, according to a recent survey, a degree can offer someone a salary 24 % higher than the one offered to a holder of a high school diploma and the non-graduates cannot find a secure job.

Not only does the education until 16 cause financial problems, but it also has an effect on their socialization. More specifically, these people feel marginalized and useless to society, and as a consequence, they face psychological problems.

On the other hand, 18-year-old graduates feel more complete. They do not only feel economically safer, but they have also practised other abilities. By interacting with other peers, they socialize and they learn how to solve problems related with their occupation. What’s more, it helps them broaden their horizons. It can be conducive to develop a character and they can also find a job easily whether they have a university diploma or not. Moreover, they are more capable of developing social skills and they can feel more independent.

All in all, there are a lot of different opinions regarding compulsory education. In our point of view, education should be compulsory until the age of 18, due to the opportunities it offers.