General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

AngelWood, I totally agree and, idiomatically speaking, you have only scratched the surface.

Briefly speaking, a pupil has to have the standard to pass the school exams. Then, the motivation and ability to study (and pass) two or more exams at a higher level; this is normally a study which takes approximately two years. Success then allows the teenager to apply for a place at a university and, if they are fortunate, the teenager is accepted by the university. Colleges and universities have limited places and many teenagers need to accept a place at a different college or university - this, sometimes means travelling great distances or leaving home to live nearer to the place of study.

Even before a teacher steps into a classroom and is paid a wage he or she has to study - for more years than the required school years - another five to six years and without any payment for doing so.
Additionally, for a number of decades, most students have had to pay to attend a college or university and these costs are certainly not minimal. Many students are leaving university with a heavy debt due to the costs of attending etc.
If you account for everything (university charges, materials, living accommodation, travel etc) the amount could be over £50,000.
Roughly speaking, a teenager in those first six years of employment could possibly earn around £90,000. Therefore, having a financial advantage to the student teacher.

To finish: "We have the choice!"