School report a surprise

LIKING school is more important than the grades you get according to a study that has looked at workers 20 years down the track.

The Menzies Research Institute in Tasmania has conducted a Seven Up! style experiment, checking on a group of people first surveyed as school students in 1985.

The students’ attitudes to school back then have been compared with their education level and job status now.

Surprisingly, researchers found that being engaged at school was more important for later success than the marks they achieved or their family background.

‘‘Socio-economic background does affect attainment in terms of formal qualifications,’’ Dr Joan Abbott-Chapman said.

‘‘What we found is, by following through for 20 years, some early influences are overcome.’’

In 1985, more than 8000 schoolkids aged 9 to 13 from across Australia were asked how much they enjoyed school and how often they became bored. Around 80 per cent were tracked down and will be contacted every five years.