News:

Source: Defence Management

Mathilde Bienvenu, of Child Soldiers International, sets out the key findings of a new report into the education offered to 16-year-olds joining the army

The UK's policy of recruiting into the army from the age of 16 years is increasingly out of sync with international trends and national education and social mobility policies. No other country in Europe, no other country in NATO and no other permanent member of the UN Security Council recruits from such a young age.

Among the main justifications for setting the minimum recruitment age at 16 years is that it reflects the minimum statutory school-leaving age in the UK. In fact this justification – whilst technically correct – reflects an outdated perception of today's youth employment and education markets, in which very few people leave education at 16. In 2009/2010 only 6 per cent actually did so. This trend will be reflected in and consolidated by the increase in compulsory education to 18 being phased in by 2015.

Read more using the link below.