What is it that is so disliked about PRIVATE education?

Question

I'm not asking it of any particular party... Just whoever despises private education so much, what is so wrong about it?

Answer 1

I support, within certain limits, private education. But your question asks about what is disliked - and I assume that means not just by the people writing the answers. So here goes:


1. Elitism

According to some peoples' perceptions, private education is a privilege bestowed only upon the rich and their lackeys. Further, the argument goes, since all the children of the "old boys' club" will all be collected together in one place, it will lead to the perpetuation of a sort of artificial aristocracy (or at least a plutocracy).


2. Problems with Curriculum

Some people worry about the possibility of a private school named "Adolf's Nazi Academy and Explosives School."


3. Inadequate Oversight

There is the perception that private schools are less rigorously watched that public schools for stuff like abuse and neglect.



So what to do?


One recommendation has been school vouchers, and to go fully to private schools (sell off the public schools to private companies the way it's being done in some places with hospitals and prisons): that is, give each child's parent or guardian a coupon that can be spent at any private school. This would certainly lead to the educational system benefiting from competition.

However, this leads some people to worry that private schools would exclude problem children (because it would drag down their averages, and they'd lose business from other parents), and that there would inevitably be problems with government oversight of private entities (think airlines and mad cow disease, for example).


I think it's a very interesting discussion.

Answer 2

Are you talking about private schools as opposed to public schools? I was not aware that private schools were so maligned, since they usually target special education students, those who are either deficient in some area of study, or conversely, the brighter-than-average student. Since public schools are funded by the taxpayers, and private schools are paid for by their participants, it would appear that the situation would be the other way around. Public schools may offer good educational facilities, but private schools concentrate more on one-on-one special needs students. Since they are privately funded, I would think the educational standard is excellent, and the students are more dedicated. I see nothing wrong with private schools. At least you never hear about shootings or bombings -- the preponderance of which has escalated in recent weeks at public schools.

Answer 3

Private education is great. Just don't use public tax dollars to fund it. I don't want my taxes going to some school that teaches kids about how great jesus was. Or any other religious figure for that matter.

Answer 4

It's not Union, for crying out loud. If private education is allowed to prolifferate, then teachers might have to get results to get raises. We can't let that happen. Also, how can we have our children indoctinated with liberal idealogy if we send them to schools that spend most of the time teaching math, science, history and english?

Answer 5

No Federal Government intrusion by extortion or grants.