Charedi leaders have voiced concern about the government�s plans to raise the school leaving age from 16 to 18 in a meeting with Schools Minister Nick Gibb.

A delegation from the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations discussed the potential impact on Charedi youth, who generally leave school by their mid-teens to go to yeshivah or seminary.

But Chanoch Kesselman, executive co-ordinator of the UOHC, said they were �reassured� by Mr Gibb�s response. �He was very supportive,� he said. �He was encouraging about our school system and the way Charedi children turn out as valuable citizens of the community.�

(Source: The JC)