Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Nov 1965

Vol. 219 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Attendance Ages.

53.

Mr. Crowley

asked the Minister for Education how Irish school starting and leaving ages compare with those of other European countries.

Mr. Colley

Information with regard to the duration of compulsory schooling in 1964 in the seventeen countries of the Council of Europe is given in a tabular statement which with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report. The information is taken from the Report prepared by the Secretariat of the Council of Europe for the Fifth Conference of European Ministers of Education.

Duration of compulsory schooling in 1964.

Country	Duration of compulsory schooling in 1964	Extension of compulsory schooling	Non-compulsory schooling
Austria	8 years (6 to 14)	The School Organisation Act of 1962 will extend compulsory schooling from 8 to 9 years in September, 1966.
Belgium	8 years (6 to 14).		From the 7th year, the statutory requirements may be met by attending a general primary or a technical school. But curricula in the 9th and 10th are not compulsory.
Denmark	7 years (7 to 14).		It is possible to continue for an 8th and possibly a 9th year in the general classes, or be admitted to the three-year Real stream. The new Acts have retained the age limit of 14 for compulsory education, but municipalities are required to establish an eighth-year class when more than 10 pupils apply for this voluntary education.
			The training of apprentices begins in the 16th year of age.
France	8 years (6 to 14).	Up to the age of 16 as from 1st January, 1967.
Federal Republic of Germany.	8 or 9 years (6 to 14 or 15 years). according to the Lander.	In Lander with only 8 years of compulsory primary schooling preparations are being made to introduce a 9th year.
Greece	8 years (6 to 14).
Iceland	8 years (7 to 15), 6 at the primary school 2 at the lower secondary school.
Ireland	8 years (6 to 14).	It is intended to raise the school leaving age to 15 years by 1970.	Full-time attendance at present by about 64% of all children between fourteen and fifteen and by about 46% of all children between fifteen and sixteen years of age.
Italy	8 years (6 to 14)	The Italian Constitution promulgated on 27th December 1947 provides for the extension of compulsory schooling beyond 14 years of age. Children cannot be employed before having reached their 15th year.
Luxembourg	9 years+2 years part-time.
Netherlands	8 years (6 or 7 to 14 or 15) depending on the parents' wishes and the beginning of the school year. Or- dinary elementary education comprises 6 years.	The Act providing for com- pulsory schooling is under study with a view to modifying its terms.	Attendance of continuation schools on a voluntary basis.
Norway	Old system, still maintained in municipalities cover- ing ? of population: 7 years (7 to 14). New system, introduced in municipalities covering ? of population: 9 years (7 to 16).	Compulsory education to be extended to 9 years for the whole country. Completion of reform expected by 1972.	A 10th voluntary year with a great variety of theoretical and practical aspects may be added.
Spain	8 years (6 to 14)
Sweden	9 years (7 to 16)	This nine-year compulsory schooling will be in full opera- tion by the school year 1967-68.	Education after the 9th school year is voluntary, but particular efforts are being made to enable young people to continue their studies voluntarily after they have left the comprehensive school, by entering secondary schools, two-year continuation schools, and technical and vocational training establishments.
Switzerland	7 to 9 years (6 or 7 to 13 years 4 months at least and 16 years at the most) according to the Cantonal Legislations.	Decisions have been taken con- cerning the extension of com- pulsory schooling in the can- tons of Basle-Urban and Schaffhouse.	After the 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th year it is possible to choose two or three different sections which pay due consideration to the abilities and vocational preferences of the pupils.
Turkey	8 years (6 to 14) lasting at least 5 years.		elementary and continuation courses and classes may be attended voluntarily after having passed the age of compulsory schooling.
United Kingdom	10 years (5 to 15) since 1947.	The school-leaving age is to be raised to 16 in 1970, as announced in the House of Commons in January 1964.