SIMON Cowell last night said he wants his five-year-old son Eric to leave school when he’s just 10.
The music moghul also revealed he thinks homework should be banned.
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In a sensational admission, Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon said: “Listen if I can get him out at 10 to come and work for me then I would.
“I was better off out of school than I was in.
“But I didn’t have that major stress about homework, because I would just throw it away.
“A healthy, happy kid is more important than an over-educated, stressed kid.”
Simon’s comments have been slammed – while the star has also been accused of setting a bad example.
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Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the Education Committee, said: “It’s really important that someone like him sets a good example.
“Many children from lower incomes and disadvantaged backgrounds depend on school.
“The school is the place that gives them some comfort, support, friendships and, even meals.
“Not everyone can be like Simon Cowell .
“I think he’s got to be very careful to not encourage kids the wrong way.
“It’s not a great plus for hard-working teachers.”
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Simon, 59, left secondary school Dover College in Kent after completing his O-Levels and didn’t attend sixth form.
He went on to gain a sociology qualification at Windsor Technical College, Berks.
Speaking about his views on education, Simon told US broadcaster NBC: “I saw a documentary recently where apparently the most academic kids in the world now are from Finland.
“The reason is they stopped homework and the education minister said there is way too much stress on kids.
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“They have to be kids, they have to enjoy themselves and enjoy school.
“I see kids today (who have) too much pressure on them to over-achieve.
“Everyone is taught they have got to achieve everything immediately or you are going to be a failure.
“I disagree with that and if you are like me – not academically smart – but you want to work hard, I believed in the apprenticeship way of working.
“So I would never put Eric under that pressure.
“I always wish I had kept my school reports as they were hilariously bad and I used to change them before I gave them to my mum to read.”
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It’s not the first time the music millionaire has been criticised for his comments on education.
In 2013, then-Education Secretary Michael Gove slammed Simon after he said school meant nothing to him – and the key to success is getting lucky.
Mr Gove said: “This is an irresponsible and stupid thing to say.
“Teachers strive every day to ensure children understand the importance of learning, hard work and discipline.
“Simon Cowell’s comments undermine their efforts.”
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