Public school education vs. Private school education - Essay Example

Public school education vs. Private school education Introduction: Problem Statement UK is presently bothered by a serious debatable issue- which is the better mode of education- the public schools or the private ones. The problem started with government’s decision to withdraw aid or public funding in case of undergraduate degree programs in subjects pertaining to social sciences, arts and humanities. Rather, more stress is laid on student loans. The government hopes that educational institutions would lower their fees as so had not increased the upper limit of such loans (Holmwood and Bhambra, 392). This is expected to cause an imbalance, the policy of trajectory education system being responsible for it. Moreover, political instability, polarization of labor market, increased competition due to admission of minority and underprivileged students has decreased popularity of public schools (Pedro, 392- 395). This paper presents an overall view of the conflict between public schools and private schools in US, along with advantages and shortcomings of each. The paper also attempts to peek into the future course of this conflict. Advantages of Public schools Public schools possess the reputation of not practicing discrimination among students regarding fees and other formalities (Porter, 2). These schools consider education as a social right and ensure proper functioning of democracy by imparting proper educations. This goes in line with government policies of development and mass higher education (Pedro, 394). Drawbacks of public schools As government has refused to fund public schools like previous times, the schools have undertaken the course of eliminating educational programs. Courses and supportive programs like music, foreign languages, athletics, library facilities, medical and healthcare facilities, psychologists are curtailed (Pedro, 239). Thus, students from these schools are less likely to success in a competitive environment. On top of this, public schools are “fraught with politics, tangled in bureaucracy and fragmented” (Simon). Advantages of private schools Private schools believe in the system of constant evaluation and control. Tests held on a regular basis do not allow the students to get defocused. Intensified discipline and schoolwork make students a better citizen of tomorrow. Private schools constantly inspire their students for better performance by means of “grade promotion, graduation and scholarship” programs. Due to a wide variety of curriculums, students excel in other skills also apart from formal education. Thus, it becomes easier for them to perform during their professional lives (Testing, Privatization, and the Future of Public Schooling, 68). Disadvantages of private schools The most important objective of private schools is profit, which is a non-negotiable priority. This comes directly in conflict with other goals such as contribution towards society, ensuring fair chance to deserving pupils, total and uncompromising welfare of students, lowering amount of fees for financially weak students and minority groups. Instances of charging high fees from students who receive federal aid by private educational institutions are not welcomed. Thus, in certain respects the private schools have commercialized education. Education process within these schools has also deviated in present times for financial rewards given to employees have distracted them from the public policy goals (Porter, 2- 3). Also, it has been found out that some students succumb to excessive pressures and often choose extreme measures like drugs and suicides. Demand for Privatization Numerous organizations like BP have achieved success after getting privatized. Owing to the grave financial crisis, US have but only one option- to adopt “neoliberal stage of capitalism”. This required remodeling of entire schooling system so as to support profit maximization, and also putting students under pressure by means of regular tests and more strict discipline and schoolwork (Testing, Privatization, and the Future of Public Schooling, 67-68). American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) too is in favor of privatization (Underwood and Mead, 51- 54). It is hoped that the public sector schools too should get privatized to achieve social goals. One of the reasons behind establishment of too many private schools is lending policies of mortgage banks. Future The Conservatives as well as the Liberal Democrats are divided in their opinions about reformation of educational institutions with the Republicans welcoming privatization of public schools (Pedro, 394). The present US government is planning to implement a set of new regulations which would earn profits for public educational institutions (Talbot). It is expected that privatization would help in fixing serious problems arising from issues like deterioration of schooling, technological and communication revolution of past decade, wage differentials, and the tendency of education system to stratify (Friedman). Some sections of society are against privatization of public schools. Nevertheless, private firms could view a positive outcome form public schools. Introduction of capital and private equity would turn public sector schools into profitable enterprise (Simon). Conclusion Thus, it can be observed that private schools have an upper hand over public schools. The fact that spending $500 billion a year has become a heavy burden for US has further worsened the condition of public schools (Simon). Though it is expected that public schools will enroll more students from minorities, ethnic groups and underprivileged but still it is lacking behind in quality and educational standards. For these reasons, public schools might get privatized in near future. References Friedman, Milton. “Public Schools: Make them Privates”, CATO Institute Briefing Papers, 23 June. 1995. Web. 3 May. 2013. Holmwood, John and Bhambra, K. Gurminder. “The Attack on Education as a Social Right”. Against the Day. Web. 3 May. 2013. Noguera, A. Pedro. “More Democracy Not Less: Confronting the Challenge of Privatization in Public Education”. The Journal of Negro Education.(1994) 63-2. Web. 3 May. 2013. Porter, Eduardo. “When Public Outperforms Private In Services”. The New York Times 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 3 May. 2013. Simon, Stephanie. “Private firms eyeing profits from public schools.” NEW YORK (Reuters). 26 Mar, 2013. Web. May. 2013. Talbot, Margaret. “Prisons, Colleges, and the Private-Sector Delusion.” The New Yorker. 14 June, 2012. Web. May. 2013. “Testing, Privatization, and the Future of Public Schooling”, An Independent Socialist Magazine, Monthly Review. Jul 2011. 63-3. Web. 3 May. 2013. Underwood, Julie. and Mead F. Julie. “A smart ALEC threatens public education”. Coordinated efforts to introduce model legislation aimed at defunding and dismantling public schools is the signature work of this conservative organization. Web. 3 May. 2013. Read More