[Pyramid*]

Yes. Private schools should exist.


Private education tends to lend itself to a more disciplined, more responsible type of student in the main. When parents are forking out their hard earned cash: you tend to find that the students take 'learning' far more seriously.

State schools should of course exist - and in my opinion, that is absolutely without question. They should however be of a such a standard that they meet a higher criteria than many (not all, not by a long shot), currently do. Regrettably: due to the number of pupils required in each class in comparison to private schooling/class numbers etc: it is totally understandable that teachers (and the public sector schooling system) can and does fail. Is that their fault? Not entirely. As I say: when parents feel the cost of education straight from their pockets: you can be sure that they (the parents), the children and the tutors/teachers/ financial laid out - in comparions to State schooling for which those schools have little or no control over - all take education far more seriously - overall.

I can speak from experience of both: and I have to say, for many years I was taught within the Scottish educational system - and it was pretty disciplined. If anything, it was on par with the subsequent private education I was priviledged enough to experience in later years.

Unfortunately: it appears that the rules from 30 years ago in State Schools now, Scottish or otherwise, have gone down the drain.

In respect of 'people shouldn't have to pay'. Well, if I was a parent: I would prefer my money to be used towards privately educating my child: than using that money to be 'squandered' on giving them the gadgetry that tends to be used for social reasons, in having to clothe them in the latest 'must have designer' gear etc....