According to the Hunter Research Foundation’s Younite Project, 52 per cent of students said the HSC was not a must while 53 per cent said school left them unprepared for the future.

Students from Hunter Valley Grammar School, Maitland Grossmann High School, Rutherford Technology High School and All Saints College, St Mary’s Campus, were interviewed for the comprehensive study.

“Young people think there should be more focus on life skills at school because they don’t believe the HSC prepares them for the practicality of life,” senior research fellow Clare Hogue said.

“One of the students said the HSC shows them how to write essays, but doesn’t teach them how to get their tax done.”

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The Younite project was conducted to explore attitudes associated to the transition from high school to adult life.

It also showed that many participants in the focus group – of 19- to 24-year-olds – believed the HSC was highly stressful with several young people suggesting adjustments to the exams to make them more useful.

“The HSC does have value, no one is disputing that, but maybe it doesn’t prepare young people for the independence they need in life,” Ms Hogue said.

Government policy requires students to complete year 12 unless they have 30 hours of work a week.

Overall, views of students, young people (under 25 who had left school) and Hunter residents in general varied. 

But the study showed that many expressed the idea that school was not for everyone and those who would like to enter a trade of TAFE should be allowed to do so.