Saturday, December 06, 2014

Private schools and community

Private schools (and indeed parental choice in general) may seem like a good idea in principle, but the unintended consequences in the long term are the polarisation of society and an increase in inequality.

So what is needed is a way to reintegrate private with state, and therefore the pressure on private schools to work more closely with their local community is a move in the right direction.

[A more interesting question would be what would need to happen before schools, that are currently funded exclusively by parents, became funded by the state]

The key seems to be what will help us move towards better education for all, and what are the drivers for change.

Without private education as an option, affluent, aspirational parents can put pressure on the state system to improve.

Their children would add to the talent pool of local schools and help to raise the aspirations of other children - and teachers for that matter.

Their awareness of inequalities and multiculturism would be increased to improve behaviour in adult life.

How and whether this can come about politically depends on whether we want an exclusive or inclusive society, and that depends on how clearly the electorate can interpret the motives and agendas of those who stand for election.

email to BBC Any Answers

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