Thousands of teenagers will be criminalised under plans to force them to stay in education until they turn 18, teachers and parents have warned.
Teenagers who refuse to continue in school or work-related training will be served with an "attendance order", which has been dubbed "the drop-out's Asbo", under plans outlined by Education Secretary Alan Johnson.
If they breach this order and refuse to study for a recognised qualification, 16 and 17-year-olds would be guilty of a criminal offence. They would then face court or a £50 fine.
The proposals came in a Government Green Paper which set out plans to raise the compulsory education leaving age from 16 to 18 - the first increase for 35 years.
But NUT general secretary Steve Sinnott said ministers had taken "entirely the wrong approach".
"The Government appears to want it both ways: voluntary involvement in education and training post-16 but being criminalised if you don't take part," he said.
"Criminalising young people is no way to ensure committed involvement. It will only serve to alienate and undermine any desire disaffected young people may feel towards continuing their education."
Margaret Morrissey, spokeswoman for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said the proposals were well intentioned. But she raised "serious concerns" over whether the scheme would work.
"Potentially this could criminalise thousands of teenagers. If they don't stay on until 18, they will face fines. This will hit those families who are the least able to afford it," she said.
Mr Johnson said it should be unacceptable to see a 17-year-old out of school, college or training as it now is to see a 14-year-old skipping class. Under the Green Paper, Raising Expectations, the law would change from 2015.
