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Should Private Education Be Abolished? Essay

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A small proportion of the children attend schools which their parents pay for, known as 'private' ( some times referred to as 'public' or 'independent ) because they exist outside state education provision. They do not have to teach 'National Curriculum', nor make their students sit Standard Attainment Tests (SATS). They range from, small private day schools catering for primary age children to 'progressive' schools, established by individuals who wish to practice radical educational ideas, to the old and famous 'public' schools, attended by aristocracy and wealthy members of society.

Independent schools are not really independent from the state at all. They depend on their financial existence on a legal anomaly, which allows them to …show more content…

However, many remain opposed to private education arguing that most people do not have the money to purchase a private education for their children, and it is wrong that people of the well-off should be given advantages in education than the poor. Private schools are socially divisive as it splits society into two;those who can afford them and those who can not.

It has been argued that the existence of private schools is morally wrong and undermines the principle of equality of educational opportunity, because social class backgrounds rather than simple ability becomes the key to success in education.(http://www.educationforum.co.uk:30-1-05) Not all children of the same ability heve the same chance of paying for this route of educational success. Ones life chances are much improved if one goes to private school and in the future is more likely to get a better paid job.In a society that claims to be meritocratic, the existence of public schools gives an advantage to small group in society.

As already explained the schools recive money from the taxpayer, despite the fact that few taxpayers can afford to utilise these facilities. The taxpayer, also pays for training the teachers, as many come out of university, gain experience in state schools then go to the privaye sector, often attracted by the higher wages, and better conditions.

The opponents of private education argue that more money should be spent on improving the state system so everybody

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