Hey Cass... I thought the law states that he is not allowed to drop out untill end of grade 10... Up until then its complusary schooling... I might be wrong but always what i have known... Might want to look it up and bring that up to him... Then use it at as a bargaining tool, if you go through to grade 10 and pass all with c+ or above you may do an apprentiship otherwise you cant leave untill year 12?