Starting School

Feds push for standard start :
"It's expected she will nominate four years and six months as the optimum age at which children should start school when she meets with state and territory education ministers early next month."

Would be better to put year 7s into High School than starting students at 4 and a half. Our year 8s are 13 and our year 10s 15 and 16. We keep them in primary school too long in this state. At 12/13 they are too big for primary school. Starting them earlier is not the answer. We only have 5 years at High School here and we must be one of the shortest secondary educations in the developed world. I was so glad to get the kids out of year 12 because it is 3 terms of drama, cramming and exhaustion trying to fit in a one year course to meet exam and assessment criteria. All so very sad. The girls had no chance to really involve themselves and enjoy the depth of study. Rush, rush, rush and lots of emotional moments. We need to pace our children better so that they can get some depth and pleasure out of learning. An early start to regimented learning will kill their spirits. Let them be kids. Some countries don't start till 6. Pre school is a chance to learn some good habits, some independence and some social skills. Let them learn and play a while longer in a structured but less demanding environment. Seems there is some cost cutting going on here with kindies and pre school, day care and primary teachers. Who's go the financial take on this?