Ben Harris-Quinney | Private Schools Are NOT A Disaster (8/8) | Oxford Union

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This House Believes Private Schools are a Public Disaster.
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[@aduncan520]

As someone who has experience within both the state and private education system, it is absurd to even suggest that they are a disaster. The levels of opportunity both academically and co-curricular are exceptional in comparison, however my public school was made up of a massive proportion of scholarship and bursary students who were allowed to undertake such chance under merit - not this inaccurate proclamation of wealth or class. Instead of looking at the constant successes of the Privatised education sector and critiquing it, the root of the problem must be addressed of inadequate state school structural formula and government funding. It is in fact the donations of the geographically close public schools that have such benefit for the schools around them and the Government (whether it be Labour or Conservative) needs to re-evaluate its public spending and systematic approach. The constant narrative of dictating an unequal opportunity actually creates a larger disparity as lots of state school children take a victimised and overtly negative view on life and the world around it. Furthermore, there is an unwarranted aggression towards the private school occupants and schools with derogatory tones and catchphrases. The real problem in this Great Nation is that we are becoming so cynical of our previously "proud" and "prosperous" traditional attributes such as schooling, instead of focusing on an improvement of the public educational sector which involves roughly 93% of the population. Eradicating the most successful parts of society may supposedly create 'equality of chance', but who wants a Great Britain that instead of having some amazing schools and some less so - has a schooling system that is flawed everywhere.

[@AL-ib3lu]

Bursary & scholarships make up 4% of private schools, free places take up 1%. Tell me again how your school was overflowing with them.

[@AL-ib3lu]

The problem is his argument fell apart with his final sentence. All parents don't have the choice of private education.

[@radicalrodriguez5912]

Of course they're not a disaster. Why are some people so intent on demolishing all things good and excellent? Some weird kind of nihilism has infected large parts of the governing class.

[@stevejhkhfda]

did they vote on it, and if so what was the result...

[@deeliciousplum]

I am in awe that Ben managed to make it out of high school. Again, Donald managed to become a world leader. There are far too many examples of extraordinary events that defy reason. Symptoms of numerous civilizations that are experiencing challenging times.

[@BK-en1uo]

So, who have won this rap battle?

[@pseudolemon8272]

description, the proposition won. obviously.

[@Nimuel]

@@pseudolemon8272 only through home advantage by a competition of voices, not arguments. I found it extremly odd how the failure of the public schools to achieve the same results as private schools is somehow painted as a failure of the private sector by the proposition. It is either incredibly dishonest or a failure of rational thought.Either way it paints a sad picture.

[@chloe7288]

I don't think the winner is clear. In formal debate, the debate topic is called the "resolution," and the format is usually "This house believes x". That doesn't mean that the "government" or "opposition" has won (the names used for the opposing sides of the debate).