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Nearly 4000 teenagers have been granted exemptions to leave school before they turn 16, new figures show.
National today revealed a 42 per cent increase in the numbers since 1999 and says it is a worrying trend.
National's education spokesman Katherine Rich said today answers to parliamentary questions showed that 2802 students were granted exemptions in 1999 and this had risen to 3957 in 2006.
"It is worrying that the rate is so high, because leaving school early is linked to poor outcomes later in life," Ms Rich said.
"There are some successful exceptions to the rule, but most students leaving this early will have limited opportunities due to their lack of education."
Ms Rich said Labour when in opposition expressed outrage at 1771 exemptions being granted, saying it was mainly truants who were being exempted to leave school before turning 16.
The truancy rate had increased by 41 per cent under Labour and it would be even higher except for the high exemption rate.
"Exemptions need to be scrutinised more carefully so that it's clear that the student is leaving school to go to genuinely sustainable work or training," Ms Rich said.
- NZPA
