Do they know where they are going A Literature Review of 14-19 year

Do they know where they are going A of 14-19 year old choices in Education in Wales - Literature review Example The Welsh education system since 2004 has realized the importance of the quality of education provided to 14-19 year olds as it is a sensitive age and the students need to be prepared for college or the work place. The grooming and education that is provided at this age will define their careers and paths for the future and thus it is of utmost importance that they are provided with ample opportunities and proper guidance. The Welsh Government aims to make 95% of the youth (up to age 25) ready for higher education or the job market by the year 2015 (Hafren). This review will focus on the options available to the Welsh students at this sensitive age and how they can help the students achieve academic as well as life skills. Education for the 14-19 age groups The verb to educate is drawn out from the Latin word ‘educare’ which means to draw out. Thus, education is supposed to draw out the hidden potential lout of blank canvases that are children. The age 14-19 is the most influential age and thus it is when students can be groomed and refined to develop personalities and skills that will enable them to achieve success. According to Richard Pring, the current system of education results in many students remaining untrained and fails to provide them with the skills necessary to excel in higher education or the job market. He believes that it is important to define what education means for these age groups and what results should it provide. According to him, the 19 year olds that the educational system should produce must not only be academic but young people with various strengths and a deep thinking ability concerned about the issues that the world faces. (Pring) Richard Pring focuses on the ‘urgency of debate’ as education has emphasized only in economic efficiency and performance but not on key issues and the development of the mind. It focuses too much on economic gain both by those that provide education and those that receive educat ion and too less than the development of the mind and grooming of students into intellectual beings. The result of a system driven by examinations and results has been deterioration in the learning experience. From the job perspective as well, the system does not equip students with the required interpersonal skills and training that would enable them to succeed in the world. There has also been an element of fierce competition between institutions rather than an inclusive and collaborative mindset resulting in emphasis on programs and results to attract students rather than focusing on providing superior education and working together to improve the system. The system also lacks the professional training of teachers catering to 14-19 year olds. (Pring) Qualifications There are basically two qualification frameworks available to Welsh students, also recognized in England and Wales. The National Qualifications Framework sets out the levels of qualifications recognized by England, Ire land and Wales. These qualifications are accredited by the regulators in all three states. The NQF recognizes entry level certificates, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), GCSE, Life Skills, BTEC, NQV, A levels and International Baccalaureate among various others. These qualifications focus on academic achievements and certifications. (DirectGov, 2009) The