There's belief more 15-year-olds are going into vocational study due to an overloaded secondary sector.
New data shows 90 percent of the 1300 students granted an early leaving exemption last year, chose more study over full-time employment.
Mt Albert Grammar head Patrick Drumm joined the Afternoons team says it's an improvement on students leaving school and not getting qualifications at all - but we still need more data on where these students are going.
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Full Show Podcast: 11 September 2026
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Full Show Podcast: 10 September 2026
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