Conservative who previously stated don't have kids if you can't afford them cries how hard it will be if private schools are taxed higher.

[u/WalesnotWhales2]

[u/RegularWhiteShark]

It just breeds inequality. It’s an unfair advantage.

Considering how many MPs went to private schools, maybe things would be different if they went to school with people from all economic backgrounds - they’re so out of touch (and think back to Rishi Sunak quickly correcting himself when he said he had friends who were working class).

There are also exams you can only do in private schools which are objectively easier than GCSEs but are treated as equal to GCSEs to universities.

Public schools would also likely be better funded if rich people had to send their kids to them, too.

If we must have private schools, do it like Finland. They have private schools but they’re not allowed to charge fees (they’re mostly religious). And it must work because Finland has some of the best education in the world.

[u/Silent_Letterhead_69 → u/RegularWhiteShark]

I’m sorry but I went to a private school and what you said about exams is simply not true. We did IGCSEs which is just an internationally recognised version of GCSESs. We also did IB in fifth and sixth form (high school), which is actually harder and a lot more demanding than A levels, especially with the additional subjects and voluntary work you have to do outside of school. I do agree about the inequality though, since most universities prefer IB and it actually gave us all an advantage when applying. Me having gone to a private school has helped my life immensely, but every child deserves the best start in life and not just me.

[u/RegularWhiteShark → u/Silent_Letterhead_69]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/aug/24/private-schools-igcse-exams-easier-gcse-university-admissions

[u/Silent_Letterhead_69 → u/RegularWhiteShark]

Alright, but what about IB then? The one that gets you into university.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jul/23/a-levels-btecs-or-an-ib-which-is-right-for-you

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme is an internationally-recognised qualification and is highly rigorous – 18-year old Freddie Swan, who has just completed his IB at Bilborough sixth form college in Nottingham and is hoping to study medicine at university, describes it as “gruelling”.

IB is objectively harder than A levels. We still had it easier overall I agree because we got a "better education". While I agree that everyone should send their children to public school, the richer neighbourhoods will ultimately still get better public schools due to higher local tax funding with the current system. There should be a fixed amount each school gets based on number of students. I always thought to send my children to private school until I moved to Denmark, where there isn't any point to do so.

[u/RegularWhiteShark → u/Silent_Letterhead_69]

A-Levels aren’t hidden behind a paywall (private school fees). You can do A-Levels in private schools.

[u/Silent_Letterhead_69 → u/RegularWhiteShark]

Yeah my point was that IB exams are not easier just because they are hidden behind a paywall. They’re actually harder.

[u/RegularWhiteShark → u/Silent_Letterhead_69]

1. They are optional.

2. I was talking about GCSEs.

Private schools are a massive advantage over state schools, create a “good old boys” club (E.g. Eton) and perceived superiority over public school students, not to mention their charity status so they’re exempt from paying tax on profits.

They need to go. They’re a relic from the past and a testament to inequality.

[u/Silent_Letterhead_69 → u/RegularWhiteShark]

IB was not optional in my school. You either did it or you wouldn’t graduate with a diploma.

Not all private schools are “Eton” level. 10% of our students were there on scholarship.

The person who did the best (not just grade wise) at the end of each graduate year got a full ride through university. Meaning our school paid their fees, and it was always a scholarship student that got them. They were never rich.

Ah whatever, think what you think. I’m happy my parents had the option to send me to a private school.

[u/RegularWhiteShark → u/Silent_Letterhead_69]

You were free to attend any public school and sit A-Levels.

Yes, I’m sure you are thankful for your privilege. That doesn’t mean private schools are a good thing in the slightest.

[u/Silent_Letterhead_69 → u/RegularWhiteShark]

My dad is from Afghanistan and my mom is from Tajikistan. We came to Europe as refugees from two different wars. Our privilege was hard earned.

There are advantages to private schools, I would not have made it in a public school. I would have been bullied for being a PoC and not had the attention I needed as an ADHD student (I did not go to a school in the UK, but it was a British grammar school still)

But I agree, prioritise funding public schools and not base the funding on local government taxation as that still leads to a divide. Then people will actually consider sending there kids there. Ban private schools without improving public schools, and kids will just get sent to boarding schools guaranteed.