Education Home
Student Forum Debate
Arguments for and against Private Education Summary
Gap-fill exercise
Complete this summary page and print it. Then post a response in
The Student Education Forum
ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
The private sector refers to schools that charge
(some times referred to as the independent sector). Some of the older and more famous private schools are known as ‘
schools’ (for example Eton).
ARGUMENTS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS
1 Choice
Parents should have a
as to where to send their child to school.
2. Academic Culture
It is argued that private schools have an academic culture, in which academic achievement is emphasized, and
results are often good.
3. Resources
Resources and
are often better than in some state schools.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
1. Non-meritocratic
Some see private schools as morally wrong as a person’s position in society is based on the parent’s ability to pay and not on the child’s ‘
’ (ones life chances are much improved if one goes to a private school - for example you are more likely to get a better paid job than many who have gone to the
school)
2. Socially divisive
Private schools are socially divisive as it splits society into two: those who have gone to a private school will often end up in positions of
in later life, but have no experience on how the other half lives. A trade union strike might be an example of a divided nation because it’s a dispute between the management, who are more likely to have gone to a private school, and the shop floor
who are more likely to have gone to a state school.
3. Investment in state education
If everyone had to send their children to a state school then all (including the rich and powerful) would have a vested interest in making sure that state
was first class.
Now Study these notes and your diagram and post a response to
this debate on the student forum
Check
Hint
OK
Education Home
Student Forum Debate