Should we abolish private schools?

[@grossherman3841]

Bring state schools up not private schools down.

[@monologicaly]

i concur.

[@brillsmith2207]

no..shut down private schools and then we will see the toffs start caring about state schools. the whole idea of private schools is immoral.

[@youtubehaschanged2281]

Brill Smith Do that and we have thousands more people in need of an already starved state schooling system, it’s simple economics. Get rid of private schools for your jealousy and watch state schools starve

[@kingchubs]

Brill Smith then they’ll put their kids overseas lol. The rest of the world already does that but in the uk

[@lauryn2868]

Best way to do that is to tax those private schools, more money in the system and more money into education

[@grapefives7762]

Why not just make state schools better?

[@Adam-uo9gm]

money

[@player-ic9yj]

it won’t work. People pay for private schools because they are better. So private school kids will always do better than state. Also it’s difficult to fund

[@cutedisaster8138]

GrapeFives Not enough money from the State. Not enough Rich Patents willing to donate

[@alexanderherbertkurz]

Because the Guardian does not really care about he working class. Remember how the Guardian hated Corbyn?

[@garethpert4799]

It would be a great start. It will only happen if funding is hugely increased. Ideally secondary schools would be much smaller - with smaller class sizes, more buildings and much better equipment. Over half of school buildings are currently in a poor state.

[@hywelfarrowwilton4982]

My local secondary school is awful and I have learning difficulties and I would have not gotten the support that I needed to pass my exams if I had not gone to a private school.

[@maxpearson9883]

Hywel Farrow Wilton i’am exactly the same 👌🏻

[@Ruru-vb1cn]

Well that's peachy for some who can afford it but think about the people for a second who have to go to that school. I go to state school and I have dyslexia, do I get help? No because the school can't afford it. Private schools should be abolished and we should all have rights to an equal education.

[@alexejnovak8693]

it happened, because your shitty government cares more about elite than about Britons...Fix your education system and it will be much better in state schools so there will be no necessity to send children to private schools

[@jasonaus3551]

Private schools relieve more Government Funding than public. Perhaps if that was reversed and private schools were actually privately funded, public schools would have the support

[@aq8048]

Ruru No

[@josephwesthill2174]

It seems like when people think of private schools, they only think of Boris Johnson, David Cameron, and Eton. Rather narrow representation.

[@chome4]

Thanks to the Guardian!

[@uhegbu]

Any female individuals who have been to those types of schools in the last thirty plus years? There must have been plenty. By the way, school is school regardless of where you are. You can be rich but dumb, not intelligent in many things even basics like reading, spelling, cooking, etc. Humans are unpredictable like changing the direction of a wind.

[@josephwesthill2174]

@@uhegbu what is your point?

[@uhegbu]

@@josephwesthill2174 So rich women do not exist? That is what you think. Personally, rich women do exist, can do anything. To be wealthy, you have to work hard. Takes years to get there, does not happen overnight, one week or one year. This applies to male and female.

[@josephwesthill2174]

@@uhegbu What are you talking about? I think you may have answered the wrong comment ..... I didn't say anything about rich women not existing, of course they exist, some of the richest people in the world are women.

[@ASLUHLUHC3]

I'd rather the government improved equality of opportunity by improving state schools, rather than reducing the peoples' freedom (which is pretty serious in any scenario) and abolishing private education.

[@Edgar-xh8iu]

Anonymous how about we just get the government out of education all together? What business do they have there? Their system clearly isn’t working. Let the private sector drive down costs and improve the overall quality of education

[@player-ic9yj]

no reason to privately educate your child of the local state school is of the same level. Thus, it is impossible to create a meritocracy with private schools

[@olgaibeh1124]

Agree!

[@denisdiderot6779]

There's nothing free in allowing wealthy parents to give their children an education not available to most people. True equality of opportunity means that what separates one child from another is talent, not how wealthy their parents happen to be. Allowing private schools actively subverts this. Equality of opportunity means abolishing private schools.

[@sankarlalgoswami12]

Sandhaya gan

[@kystoks4372]

when you go to a private school and still watch this to see how people view you

[@thedom6209]

Same

[@patrickbateman1540]

We all despise rich people who sent their spoiled kids to private schools

[@fyroblox5059]

@@patrickbateman1540 my parents aren't rich but ok

[@nickel3143]

Kenny Twd I guess if we’re so “rich and spoilt” then that means your poor peasants if that’s the case

[@darleyt1]

@@fyroblox5059 We generally see you as people who cannot empathise. This is not your fault, but the fault of a system which teaches kids that they are more special and talented than the rest.

[@xenophon8746]

Yeah, well, the idea of freedom seems to be completely lost in your presentation. Parents who can will always seek the best education for their kids. The proper way to deal with this is have good public schools, period. We have private schools in Germany, and they do not play any such role. Public schools are simply good enough.

[@Bobotv1000]

Yes, because the rich Germans send their kids to English private schools

[@dannydandan8495]

The problems arise when those private schools instruct their higher education establishments to accept lower standard gcses from those schools whilst state educated have a more rigorous examination to pass. This practice has been admitted by Russell group Universities.

[@josephwesthill2174]

@@dannydandan8495 I'm sorry, but where is your proof of that? Universities don't offer places to private school children despite inferior grades, and are certainly not instructed by private schools to do so, that's just absurd

[@dannydandan8495]

@@josephwesthill2174 i think you need to look at how russell group universities accept igcses from private as gcses when theyre much easier and meant for overseas study. The guardian did a massive piece on it buddy. Yes they do. Russell group consist of some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Dont take my word for it.. russell group admitted this themselves you can easily find it they dont hide it. EDIT: My mistake .. they did try to hide it. it was obtained through a FOI request and they were forced to admit it.

[@izzymichele4494]

Public school isn’t for everyone

[@creativesource3514]

Abolishing private schools wont make state schools any better. It worked in Finland with a tiny population but they also reformed the education system. The standard of State schools should improve to meet private school standards so parents stop spending to send their kids there.

[@cymraegpunk1420]

When rich peoples children are in state schools the political class will be pushed by doners to reform schools and it'll move up the agenda

[@alanflanagan]

This is based on the idea that parents send their children to private schools solely because the standards are higher -- but whether it's the number of PM's from Eton or the general ability to fail upwards because of old boys' clubs, it's clear many parents are sending their kids there for the connections. Private schools are an opportunity for parents to ensure that their rich kids meet other rich kids, that they have opportunities not because of standards but because of connections -- their explicit goal may be "higher standards", but for a very long time now private schools' implicit goal has been a concentration of power among a small group of people. That is why abolition, to me, feels like the only option -- reform will just reorder the ways in which rich people can ensure their children never cross paths with those of a different class (and in the case of certain people in upper echelons, ensure that they never lose sleep over the consequences of wealth-grabbing because they've never met a poor person). It's a hot-button issue, but "parental choice" shouldn't be paramount when the educational and wealth divide in this country has gotten so bad, and is getting worse.

[@creativesource3514]

@@alanflanagan I think whenever you abolish something you create a authoritarian state. America, canada and Australia all have private schools but there state school standard is ok. Will you abolish private hospitals also? There Etons and Harrows and Westminster are an elite group called 'public' schools. There are 1000s of independent schools filled with middle class kids whose parents are not loaded. Lots of parents make sacrifices for their kids. In life we all make contacts. Thats what MBA school is about, the alumni. I think independent schools should offer more scholarship places. Also maybe the government can match salaries for teachers....so the best teachers have a choice of which svhool they wish to teach in. That will even things out.

[@aksi5393]

creative source Thank you I am a private school student and I am speaking up for those who got to private or grammar schools

[@dannydandan8495]

@Ian Mann evidently not.

[@thed-n-tshow5553]

It’s not the children’s fault they was born in to money, that’s just how the world works. Just bring up the state schools.

[@danielled108]

Exactly!!!!

[@lewiscycling3062]

The were*

[@josephharris1588]

Yes! Private schools have done nothing wrong and the reason are there is because they pay money for higher education. Money = Education. If you don’t spend money then that’s your fault and decision

[@alexejnovak8693]

*it is how Britain works, not the whole world

[@seandiko2687]

This exact opposite can be said. It's not someone's fault they're born into poverty. Your acting as if it's a burden to be born into a rich family. Also it would cost a lot less to just abolish private schools.

[@nichootin]

having grown up in England while attending a private school and then moving to Norway to attend a skandi type public school i can whole heartily say abolish private schools. the private schools system allows for the rich and powerful to live in their own bubble with no connection to the real world from a young age. Ensuring that everyone has to go to the same school also forces the rich and powerful to allocate more resources to public schools as their own kids will actually be attending them.

[@DFandV]

You have seen the real world. But agree with you having said that I believe there should be a choice.

[@bri1085]

@@m.a.4500 meritocracy is a bit of an absurdist construct, imagine giving a child who's already educationally well off an even better education than those worse off

[@Alan_Mac]

I have spent a long time in Sweden and Norway and the best British schools are miles ahead of the "skandi type public school". Why should we destroy what's good?

[@felixcourtney8660]

turk mc turk nicely summarised. I go to private school (I wasn’t given the choice) and I agree

[@r3dp1ll]

@@m.a.4500 merit is too hard to evaluate. If your parents are caring, well educated, plenty of activities at home ... and as a kid you do very well (as can be expected), should you be rewarded for your luck ?

[@barbirelle]

why abolishing? just change the public system

[@hannahabdi3904]

@Adam Craig very stupid i though people were open minded , nothing needs to be banned just invest more into public school higher standards of educsfion surely paying more taxe wont hurt if it makes society better , unless tour mega rich then you would be outraged

[@player-ic9yj]

Because people use private schools because they are better than state. Private schools will always be better than state, so they need to be slowly dissolved

[@dilksjoel]

Hannah Abdi this is why the UK is a sinking ship. Private and state schooled are both stupid af.

[@bvegannow1936]

Just give $15000 per year vouchers for kids for private or home school. End public school. End mandatory school. Change the education system so it teaches individualized job skills instead of usless info. Dont require kids learn info that is irrelevant to the job they want.

[@TheMiniMaestroMan]

'Just change it!' how are we supposed to when your politicians won't even give us funding but will happily send their kids to posh schools like Eton for hundreds of thousands? They don't even show up when we talk about poverty. You know nothing.

[@milesthomas9466]

I like how every clip of "private school facilities/buildings/pupils" are the most extreme examples, those rowing machines, horses, long coat and boater hats is what a tiny minority of these schools actually have, it's not like Hogwarts and St Trinians it's not much different to state schools

[@harrycantwell6252]

Yeah... it seems that when people mention private schools they go on about eton and harrow and winchester and make huge generalisations.

[@harrycantwell6252]

@the art gal which school?

[@harrycantwell6252]

@the art gal oh probably not then

[@charitieruiz2351]

My school a private school and we don't even have a lot of grass. Tbh i think public school is better i mean has more opportunities like sports, more clubs, ap classes, scholarships

[@callum9225]

Yeah that's true, most private schools are nothing like the relatively small number of "public schools" which charge massive fees. I've taught at a few and none have been anymore exclusive than state schools in nice catchment areas.

[@georgehennon7781]

We should raise state schools not kick public schools

[@joeallen7172]

no we should kick private/public schools and raise state schools. For the many not the few

[@propoppop9866]

@@joeallen7172 and that helps how... Rember now you need to house 7% more kids

[@joeallen7172]

@@propoppop9866 Yes it does help because private schools are distorting society into a singe elite class, for example only 7% of the British public is privately educated, however 70% of uk judges come from private education. The private schools will be slowly abolished and turned into state schools and this is in labours manifesto. Private for the wants, public for the needs. For the many not the few. LONG LIVE Jeremy Corbyn!

[@corey6537]

@@joeallen7172 that aged well 😂🤣

[@ElizabethGlasby]

@@joeallen7172 kicking private schools out of jealousy is unfair. The parents word super hard for my education

[@rosem3980]

I went to an academy where teachers had to buy their own glue sticks for students. Dont tell me that is fair.

[@fod1855]

Life’s not fair

[@ashcame3192]

@Adam Craig as someone who was educated at a private school from year 7 up to my GCSEs and a state school for sixth form I can see where people are coming from in this argument. I don't think just abolishing private schools would solve anything, other significant improvements would need to be made to the state school system but it could be done in a way that is for the better. It does irritate me somewhat though that when people think of private schools they think of the likes of Eton and Marlborough College. They talk about this vast range of alumni who are contacts for when you leave school but I've never personally experienced that.

[@ashcame3192]

@Adam Craig I get that but the issue is more that there are a very large amount of people in the country who can't pay for their children to have a better education. So it's not really something anyone can do. It's not like we actually are a 'free country' despite the phrase. There will always be things you aren't free to do after all.

[@usmanakram1843]

@Adam Craig Spot on !

[@Adam-uo9gm]

@Adam Craig so we shouldn't ban cocaine as it are money that we are spending

[@ForbiddenHero]

I just got accepted into City of London School for boys, and i'm poor believe me- single mum, works on minimum wage, in debt, she cannot even speak english, she works 6 days a week in a factory 9 or more hours per day except saturday which is 4 hours. I'm going to school in Dagenham, and im not white british (eastern european/ lithuanian). All of that and i can say just how welcoming at least city of london school was, cant speak for other schools, but they were great and considerate and importantly didnt see me as any different, btw im going on a fully paid bursary. This also true for eton, my friend a Tanzanian, got accepted there, and the way they do it there is they only look at class to see who they need to pay for is after all the tests and interviews, ensuring only the most capable go there and is not based on class- of course you can just choose to pay and not go through the way he did (Orwell award). I'm very excited.

[@AL-ib3lu]

I wish someone had asked you how you managed to gain a place at such a prestigious school. Not many pupils manage it without private tutoring.

[@nidavindasiute]

I'm Lithuanian as well

[@p51mustang82]

school choice is key to having a diverse and reliable work force. Group think and indoctrination are caused by systems that limit education to one type of education system and not allowing diverse learning. Communists seem to think they know how to make everything work great for everyone just because they read a book or got a degree in diversity.

[@AL-ib3lu]

@@p51mustang82 that's the point though, it isn't a choice for 80% of parents. The current UK government make it obvious that ability has very little to do with attending a top school

[@georgeeldridge7954]

@@AL-ib3lu You really don't have a clue. Go look up Eton King's Scholarship questions and see if anyone who was not remarkably clever could get in. My friend at Eton did GCSE maths when he was eight and still didn't get it.

[@SamirSingh19-6]

Hey Britain, why not just improve your public schools 🙄

[@tams805]

'Public' school in the UK means just a few select private schools.

[@chrisjmirvine4980]

Tams80 not quite it encompasses 650,000 children.

[@rory9938]

Chris J M Irvine no it doesn’t. Most private schools aren’t public schools

[@aydangarrod1485]

@@rory9938 private and public are the same thing

[@sweetdreamz9282]

Aydan Garrod no they are not. Private schools are not for the general public you have to pay. State schools are public

[@pepsi458]

Abolition would likely quicken a "brain-drain." The winners in abolition would end up being foreign boarding schools. These foreign boarding schools would see a jump in demand, as well as a jump in the supply of some of world's best academic resources. That's all if the courts would even allow such a national-wide policy.

[@wrongteous]

Exactly. Everyone would just go oversees and trust me, there's plenty of places to go.

[@reinhardtscheepers6317]

Before you throw out the baby with the bath water, I think it would be advantageous to first identify exactly what is wrong with the British state school system. Where are they falling short and what can be done to address these problems. I think it would be better to first get the state schools performing optimally before we should consider abolishing the public and private schools.

[@wrongteous]

Is that a Tenpole Tudor reference I just read in the beginning of your comment? I never thought I'd see the day!

[@hanawana]

@@wrongteous What is the reference?

[@charliemitchell7511]

The perception of what private school families really are is so narrow minded

[@darleyt1]

This is the most ironic sentence ever uttered.

[@corriedebeer799]

You will find there exist private schools who cater to mary queen of the scots grandchildren and then there are more humble schools for people with new money that just want something reasonable for there children. Really private education caters to people from a wide variety of socio-economic environments

[@pigasusr2]

Yes. I go to private school, but I’m not a rich snob. My dad went to a pretty rough state school but then worked hard to become a lawyer. We don’t have a massive house or fancy cars or expensive watches. My parents just chose to spend their money on my education.

[@Kalani_Saiko]

True, my friend goes to a private school, her family is nowhere near rich and she is one of the nicest people I know.

[@goodheavens1]

Some people in private schools are lower middle class, this vid makes it seem like they’re all elite children of millionaires

[@paxundpeace9970]

In Germany you earn less if you finish a private school. Only a few of the private schools are better then state schools.

[@shibuya3185]

So why would people pay to send their kids to private schools? Your point makes no sense at all.

[@WildcatTofu]

​@@shibuya3185 if the government can make public school better, only limited number of people will send their kids to school. Also, in Germany, parent's don't have a say whether their kids are going to college or not. Kids would be evaluated until they are 13 years old. If the teacher decide a 13 years old kid is not eligible for college, the kid will go to public vocational school or private international program(and study aboard after high school.)

[@shibuya3185]

@@WildcatTofu : I don't understand the point that you are making. Please explain.

[@valerieconstanzedietrich469]

pax und peace so not true what the hell

[@blaaaaaaahhhhkathi]

The reason is that people who attend private schools in Germany are largely people who aren't able to keep up with the highest level of the Public Schools (the Gymnasium) and their parents still want to ensure that their children have the opportunity to attend university. So the people in the schools are just less talented to an extent or looked upon as that. But even rich families usually send their children to public schools, as long as they're able to keep up. This varies within some states though.

[@justinlines3715]

Who do you want to decide how your child is educated? You, or a privately educated bureaucrat in London? Bring state schools up (with more autonomy), don't bring independent schools down.

[@cassiejin777]

Justin Lines well spoken

[@danielled108]

Exactly!

[@benedictbroadbent1389]

I currently have a private education, Sidcot School. I would admit that there are many students who do not deserve their parents wealth and are inconsiderate of other people. It frustrates me that kids from a wealthy background have a higher chance of succeeding in life when they are no different to you and I. A touchy subject i must agree.

[@thedemotivationalspeaker3090]

Ungreatful brats are their parents' problems. Not the school system's.

[@Jimmy4video]

Unfortunately, I don't think things will play out as proposed. If you abolish private schools in the UK those children will be sent to private schools in Switzerland, America, etc. This is not an easy issue to solve. At least take away their charity status though so the treasury has more money for public schools.

[@Jimmy4video]

@@evan2173should be, ideally... unfortunately we are moving away from this, not towards it. People who can avoid paying their fair share of taxes and not go to prison for it will have no problem finding loopholes that give their children an edge. The mechanisms that should ensure a fair egalitarian society are being dismantled before our eyes and imagining the very beneficiaries of private education would vote to do away with it is just a little optimistic.

[@Jimmy4video]

@@evan2173 yes, for it. Add my howl to the wind.

[@charliepayy]

when they say all private schools they are completely forgetting about low independent schools that are basically the same as state schools. I go to a lower end private school because I get extra support, this would be devastating for my education. My parents work soo damn hard to send me there, every paycheque goes straight to education. Just because you go to a private school doesn't mean you are minted or rich. such a tiny percentage of private schools are elite.

[@josephbrennan370]

@Chaz well talk about clueless.

[@nikonfan2407]

I attended a private boarding school in the late 90s. I don't believe abolition is the answer, but fair taxation and removal of charitable status is. Also, application of a law that forces all private schools to accept and fully fund the education of a minimum of 5% of pupils from households with less than 40k total household incomes.

[@bravoalley228]

interesting points...why not abolition? Also why 5%?

[@peterloup2302]

Why?? Public schools were given Charitable status in return for doing precisely what you suggest. They offer places for those whose parents can't afford the cost but have a gifted child who would benefit from a better level of schooling. There are numerous bursaries on offer, including 100% of the fees BUT the entrance exam must be passed.

[@Dio-fb2cq]

The argument should be based on improving state education not on banning anything which exceeds state provision of education. 'Success' however you define it is not monocausal and the type of 'success' described in this video does not factor in parenting, pre-schooling child development, culture and so on. No one turns up at Oxbridge, the Bar or a ftse 100 company and they just say "Come on in". I went to a non-selective state school and it was a total waste of time - teachers questioned students why they wanted to attend Oxbridge, a significant part of the pupil population had social problems/problem homes. Even compared to the grammar schools nearby students had a totally different academic work ethic and ambitions. Abolishing fee-paying schools is and will never be the answer to a complex problem of school funding, culture, academic work ethic and bad teachers to name a few.

[@ashrafalam6385]

How I see it is abolishing private education is not a complete solution but one part of the solution

[@Dio-fb2cq]

@@ashrafalam6385 But how is it part of the solution? The narrative will shift from abolishing private schools to abolishing private tutors, busing students from different socioeconomic backgrounds to the same school etc etc. Ignoring the fact that this is infringing on the freedom of parents to educate their children how they want.

[@minah.]

Stop crying and work on bringing state schools up rather than attempting to bring down private schools.

[@jamesmainwaring5946]

The country couldn’t handle the extra amount of people needed to go into the state school system

[@Likemusicat4]

The private school institutions wouldn't disappear overnight, forcing pupils to find new schools, they would become state schools

[@jamesmainwaring5946]

But is it worth it for the goal of fairness. Anyway private schools allow for extra income with ought the need for the government to employ more students.

[@jess8023]

the private schools would become state schools so it wouldn’t change that much it would actually make less people go to original state schools cause there would be extra spaces

[@jamesmainwaring5946]

Jess Lucas the government cannot legally seize private school property as they are businesses

[@alexanderherbertkurz]

I think we could handle this. To save the planet and our civilisation, we need to transition to a sustainable economics anyway. This means less production and more reproduction. It means more jobs in health care, schools, etc. We can do it if we want.

[@nataliesolondz4304]

I've been attending private schools my whole life ever since I was 2 years old. Public schools won't work for me because I have moderate learning difficulties like Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia and a lot of anxiety and low self confidence in my academics. I've been attending a special education private school since 4th grade. The 2016-17 school year.

[@bp4840]

Natalie’s Crazy Universe there are actually many state schools that can help with these types of things. My school actually had one of the best facilities and staff for people with certain extra needs and help. I know many people who have done well in state schools with these needs. And what would help even more? Extra funding etc :)

[@sammapstone2430]

well that is understandable but the real problem is the people that cant afford private schools and have to suffer

[@izdatsumcp]

@@bp4840 Was your school a specialist school for learning difficulties? Because, if not, it won't come close to what a private specialist school can provide.

[@Ansnduzn]

Why should those schools cost money though? What about those who aren't privileged enough to have parents who can afford it?

[@justadummy8076]

@@bp4840 extra funding won’t do anything, it will all get lost within the mazes of bureaucracy & incompetence

[@nigelmansfield3011]

Only in the UK could you have this debate. In Australia, 35.6% of schoolchildren are privately educated and the number is rising. But then, unlike the UK, most Australians have private health insurance (PHI) on top of universal public health insurance. PHI potentially offers faster access to treatment, greater choice, higher levels of comfort, and additional services not covered by Medicare. It is a pity that the UK has gone socialist. In 25 years time time, because of socialism and Brexit, the UK will have dropped to number 25 in terms of GDP.

[@TheDevilsAdvocate.]

Every human deserves the same education, that being the best education available.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Agreed: the NEA fascists should be outlawed

[@jyotimaigogoi8318]

What about improving your public schools

[@aethelyfel7573]

They cannot be improved because they are owned by the state, and not subject to the will of the market

[@whitetiger1442]

What about giving children the same opportunity and quality of education regardless of their economic background. You improve public schools by sending rich and poor kids to the same schools, which will make their parents support a system that creates better education for everyone.

[@RipleysSanatorium]

Yup! School choice and free markets.

[@bvegannow1936]

Just give $15000 per year vouchers for kids for private or home school. End public school. End mandatory school. Change the education system so it teaches individualized job skills instead of usless info. Dont require kids learn info that is irrelevant to the job they want.

[@AngxlicSunsetYT]

That is dumb! People go to private schools for other reasons besides just a safer environment. What about, “RELIGION!”

[@learose8623]

Who's a private school student as well?

[@kingxenokai5373]

Me been goin my whole life

[@maxpearson9883]

Same

[@kuniosaiki]

Was until a year ago

[@danielled108]

Been going my whole life

[@jiminsforehead8570]

Lea Rose me

[@silverhawkscape2677]

This is the Politics of Envy and Jealousy at play.

[@jcomm120]

I like how France manages this, it made many schools half private. If the schools want any state funding, they must follow strict guidelines. So, there's less difference between many public + private schools, so most parents are cool with just putting their kids in public school. This is an oversimplification but basically how it goes.

[@CrispinBalfour]

I had the misfortune to attend Eton College! Although it offered a wonderful education I have spent the rest of my life trying to free myself from the sense of superiority Eton prides itself on instilling in its pupils. This superiority has been a chain around my neck that entrapped me in expectations that made it very hard to become my own person. Banning private schools would begin to dismantle the system of prviledge that riddles Britain and which lies behind the madness of Brexit.

[@jackhenderson9798]

I grew up in a rough council estate. I always knew I wanted my children to attend private school and not have to see what I saw growing up. That was my motivation in setting up a business & bettering myself. I’m happy to say my daughter now attends one of the best private schools in our County.

[@Jagritidhariwal]

State schools don't provide the level of education we want. Rather than hating on private schools i think y'all should focus on how to better the education in state schools

[@breadstick4458]

Well if only there was the money to fund state schools, but their isn’t. Anyway here’s a school with costs £20000 per pupil to go to for a term. No spare money here at all!

[@profskett]

Yes! Or at least get rid of their charitable status. Giving the wealthiest schools a tax break is a kick in the teeth for ordinary people in state schools.

[@Torchman-]

Stephen Skett ur name skett lol

[@ggsay1687]

So make state run schools better, so no one have to choose private schools, capitalism - best product for lowest price.

[@joeallen7172]

@Adam Craig going to a private school is nothing to do with being left or right wing, but it is everything to do with how much your parents earn. It is simply unfair for a child to receive a better education with smaller class sizes, monumentally better facilities and less disruptive children just because there parents earn more money. For the many not the few

[@player-ic9yj]

best product that only the wealthy can afford

[@remotefaith]

Or worst product for the highest price

[@PeterJohnsonWales]

Once again Finland shows how civilised it is

[@gymnosophy]

If we abolished the private schools that feed Oxbridge, where would we get all the Guardian staff from?

[@Picopulci]

Is the presenter Oxbrdige? Lets check. Google: Maya Goodfellow. Ah, "she is a doctoral candidate at SOAS University of London". Ergo, you are fake news. NEXT.

[@Sara-ld6nh]

From the state schools who’d actually have a chance to feed Oxbridge ...

[@bravoalley228]

@@Sara-ld6nh don't tell OP that. They don't want to know. They want to point out the hypocrisy while possibly languishing behind the elites in the top professions because they didn't get a better funded education.

[@MozzieMutant]

Loool

[@agt155]

@@Picopulci She was privately educated.

[@sydneymontgomerie7172]

In this video the Guardian mainly only focuses Eton, a rather narrow perspective view from a dumb point of view.

[@samjquillen]

As an alumnus of a mediocre public (i.e. state) school in America, I do appreciate the frustration. But it is not realistic to expect schools to have the resources, equipment, networks, etc of top flight private schools without a) charging a lot for tuition, and b) being selective and catering mainly to the children of the elite. Abolishing private schools may give us a leveler thrill but it would have limited beneficial impact on any state school

[@wotAscam]

Yes. The Finnish school system provides exactly that example.

[@aerobic8854]

I'm not Brittish and from outside this video sounds crazy to me. Why do you want to destroy the best schools of UK instead of trying to make state schools better ?? Why do you want to take down some people instead of thinking on how to create more opportunities for more people

[@thanosnoctem4473]

I know right

[@haud4424]

I wrote to the head of my Local Education Authority when they offered my child a place at a state school that OFSTED had just said couldn't teach any children properly but in particular those with advanced learning (my child fell in to this category). It was not one that I had on the list of preferences. I pointed out that the law states THEY must provide school places that meet the needs and abilities of all children in their area and the PARENTS must ensure they receive an education that meets their needs and abilities. So we would both be breaking the law if I accepted the place. Their response was " we won't discuss this as nothing will change". The school was "appropriate", they said, it was the nearest school to where I live, which is a deprived area. After suffering enormous financial hardship by educating my son at home for a year he got a full scholarship to an independent school that met his needs and abilities. Now I am a parent complying with the law. The problem is not independent schools it is a state education system that, because they are underfunded, they feel justified in simply telling poor parents "live in a poor neighbourhood - get a poor education and don't come crying to us because we're not interested". That is an over-simplification, I know, but don't be fooled in to thinking that getting rid of independent schools will instantly fix the education system. If Education Authorities complied with the law and provided school places that met the needs and abilities of ALL children in their areas, the comparison with independent schools would look very different.

[@justadummy8076]

Basically, the more things you ask of your government, the more power they have to wield over you, which is exactly why I’m against government intervention, it has never solved anything

[@laurenm9014]

taxing the private schools would mean they charge more and become more elite and the facilities even more exclusive. I agree that private schools are for privileged people and fuel elitism but this is not the way to combat this. Education should be of the highest standard, for all people.

[@guillemmoreno5522]

And what do you propose?

[@corriedebeer799]

She says it is not about removing parents right to choose, but offers only one solution. The removal of choice.

[@ChuckleHoneybear]

when your school appears in this video lol

[@mub___lol9297]

what school?

[@oscarholloway8752]

This is waffle, people get so annoyed about private schools and the elite, people seem to forget that wealthy people give so much to state schools. There’s too much envy just stop moaning

[@gordonramsdale]

Why should people get more opportunities in life and play education, university and career on easy difficulty just because they were born into a rich family? That's why the rich get richer and the poor stay poor

[@Jimmy4video]

Get rid of religious schools while you're at it. Also raise teachers wages and improve the quality of the average school. Get rid of all fast food from the premises.

[@broflo3875]

Lots of jealous people who can’t send their kids to private school. Because they’re unable to make their lives better, they instead choose to make others lives miserable.

[@huntergatherer8972]

As soon as you quote Michael Moore you've lost the argument.

[@corriedebeer799]

Yeah, american version of a sun reporter.

[@chrisspencer6502]

Private schools should be private no state funding or subsidies. Eaton isn't a charity it's a business it should pay its taxes

[@bishboshs]

no mention of the influx of foreign students spending money in the UK and broadening our global soft power. Just a thought.

[@hugorobinson5525]

The most underused argument against abolition, I've never understood why it isn't bugged up and discussed.

[@josephbrennan370]

@@hugorobinson5525 because it is a rubbish argument.

[@edwinthemoose]

My parents can’t afford to send me to a private school, the ones near me don’t offer scholarships that bring the price to a affordable level. Most of my friends went to private school as their parents (or grandparents) were rich. It’s just pushover the class divide further

[@imanepink]

@Adam Craig a Ferrari isn't something I need having the best education IS

[@thomas79marshall]

Also to make it even fairer - people shouldn't be allowed to teach their kids anything outside of school. How else could one child whose mother is an astrophysicist be equal to another whose mother failed all of her GCSEs?

[@IgnacioGlezCllo]

Exactly, everybody equal, at the baseline.

[@IgnacioGlezCllo]

RC Tech RC Tech “everybody equal at the baseline” is such a negligent sentiment that I thought it would be obvious I was being somewhat sarcastic. I agree with what Tatlar said originally. To make myself clear I should have said “everybody equal at the baseline is what they want”.

[@imanepink]

They Learn about the subject together like my mum and I did but a completely agree with you

[@aristot9642]

I lived in Iraq for 3 years, as a son of a diplomat of friendly government to Saddam 1997-2000, only at my second year I realised my school had children of officials, because private schools aren't allowed, allow mixing with other people, it was incredible how the system forced the most elite kids to do homework,behave and dress like everyone else, incredible how a teacher with a stick in his hand reigns supreme absolute power uninterrupted by these parents, they taught me like their own, maths , science, Humanities , English (with emphasis on correct pronunciation ) , just before we left , I noticed the pics of alumni , saying " proud to have made a successful student qusai Saddam Hussein a graduate of our school" ,if a dictatorship done it right, you dear Britain are doing something very wrong.

[@flamedestroyer6]

Instead of seeking to destroy private schools just because they're better at preparing their students for the future, we should look to build up state schools. Instead of channeling our envy into destruction, let's channel it into something creative. We shouldn't punish exceptionalism in education, we should seek to emulate it.

[@31oise]

Exactly

[@YA-hm5zy]

How will that stop nepotism and elitism. And the free passes into Oxbridge.

[@flamedestroyer6]

@@YA-hm5zy "The free passes into Oxbridge" exist only in your imagination. The truth is, private schools are simply better at preparing their students for the interview and know how to build successful applications. State schools should learn from the success of independent schools.

[@YA-hm5zy]

@@flamedestroyer6 they get spoon fed, that's why.

[@Alan_Mac]

You, sir, are an absolutely rubbish class warrior - with your sensible suggestions and such...

[@Dziaji]

I’ve heard a lot of dumb proposals in my life, but banning schools is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. It isn’t even possible. How do you ban people from willingly paying someone to teach their children. Should they ban tutors and computers as well?

[@luzboroughlane7948]

You are absolutely correct - discussing the banning of private schools is pointless because it is not legally possible to do it. I'm surprised that more people don't know this.

[@andiemorgan961]

Dissolving Grammar schools was a big mistake. Depriving bright working class children the type of education similar to private schools. The emergence of the Comprehensive system seriously under serves the most able pupils.

[@manu-nz7vc]

yet only 3 percent of children who went to grammar schools were from working class backgrounds

[@lucyprior8561]

My parents work bloody hard to send my sister and I to private schools not because of the connections but the fact that they can enforce rules and children often work really hard and my school because they make sure that we know how hard our parents work and how there money shouldn’t be wasted and we have to work to the best of our abilities make the most of he facilities and education we are being given

[@Ansnduzn]

But why do YOU deserve a better chance in life just because your PARENTS work hard? Everyone should have the same chances from day 1, not have the choice to get better schooling as a result of a rich family you were born into.

[@katiebrampton5537]

@@Ansnduzn tough, I’m sure if you had the privilege to afford to go to private school you would not be complaining. 🤷‍♀️

[@Ansnduzn]

@Katie Brampton that's exactly what I'm trying to call out. People who don't criticize the system they benefit from. We shouldn't just accept it like you're implying.

[@diegos.loayza3706]

@@Ansnduzn and also i bet you are black

[@kevinh3238]

@@Ansnduzn Because we live in a meritocracy. If one works hard they deserve more te be rewarded than somebody who does not work hard.

[@SirAmicVarze]

Abolition is the only answer. Anything else just keeps a system that is designed to enforce inequalities.

[@Testruecast]

Inequality is part of the human condition. We all are unequal. You are just calling for a totalitarian state.

[@UnironicLogicLord]

Abolishing private schools will only make public school problems worse. It would cause even more crowding and would also result in millions of more kids to fund. If you think about it, private schools are basically just free school funding. We simply just don't have enough teachers, funding, or space to abolish private schools. Not to mention the severe culture schock in a lot of kids when they move to public schools and when public school children suddenly have an explosion in private schoolers.

[@a70770]

Then, sieze the school and hire more teachers

[@UnironicLogicLord]

@@a70770 First of all that still doesn't solve the funding problem, and seizing private property without compensation is pretty messed up. Also please answer me, how does dragging people down help anyone?

[@unknownv8462]

finland has a great education system because they have the best european teachers not because they abolished private schools don't be dumb

[@josephbrennan370]

They have an integrated education system and fund their education system well.

[@TheKingUtopus]

Call me an idealist but what about bringing public schools to the level of private ones? Destroying the few institutions that provide decent education in this country isn't the answer.

[@Adam-nq3hv]

EXACTLY !!

[@TheMiniMaestroMan]

Let's rebuild an equal institution in which people of all classes go to the same exact school because we're an equal first-world democracy and education should not be a business. Simple! Basic human decency there, could use some y'know.

[@DMC-ss4cm]

7 minute video, not one mention of how this policy would benefit state schooling. Why? Because it will damage state schools.

[@Boggart202]

What’s with this hatred against the privately educated? I say that the only way to improve the lives of the poor, is by making state schools better. You won’t improve state schools by bringing down private schools

[@bertaroo]

They payed for the school and if private schools closed loads of jobs would be lost. I’m not rich but my parents are teachers and you get a discount.

[@rooneya100]

What frustrates me most about this video is that she left out an interesting statisic; one third of all private school pupils recieve funding in the forms of scholarships and bursaries. Many parents put their lives on hold (stop going on holiday etc) in order to prioritise their child's life and education. Sending your child to private school is not just a rich persons game. I wish certain media outlets would start being more informative with regards to these matters. I'll be interested to know what some of you think:)

[@rooneya100]

@@angiewilson7615 Only 7% of the UK population are privately educated and around 60% of the population are middle class; factors that contribute to class include culture/interests, occupation, income, wealth and education. Furthermore, middle class doesn't mean rich.

[@tobeytransport2802]

I went to one of the least funded state schools in my county and I think that we should keep private schools, give parents the choice to not get their children propagandised by state schools. You’ve got to love the choice we have in this country to choose between private and public schools, healthcare, etc. Why should the fact that I can’t afford to go to private school affect the people who can afford it. This is the socialist mentality... make the rich less rich just to be fair despite wealth creation giving us, the ordinary people, opportunity in future.

[@AithlynC]

What a load of unadulterated nonsense.

[@corriedebeer799]

Nothing is stopping anyone from sending their children to a private school. Even if you don't have the funds most of these places will have scholarship that great kids can apply for.

[@josephbrennan370]

Elitism would still exist though.

[@Kalani_Saiko]

Not everyone can get the scholarship tho

[@diegos.loayza3706]

@@josephbrennan370 elitism is not a bad thing. democracy it is.

[@indersingh1212]

I went to a famous boarding school. It makes me laugh when people say the parents are the top 5%. I can tell you most of the parents at my school were taking second mortgages and loans out to pay the fees. People forget that people earning 100k or over are paying 50% income tax. Parents sending kids to private schools should be given tax breaks for relieving some pressure off the state system.

[@thomas79marshall]

The presenter was only taught 25/26 of the alphabet. I presume not privileged enough to learn the letter 'T'.

[@corriedebeer799]

somebody call an ambulance goes this guy just got BURNED!!!

[@Prodby20]

option 4 privatize all schools, free competition will do the rest

[@josephbrennan370]

This will lead to some people not being educated in a school at all.

[@kalinka4482]

@@josephbrennan370 goevernment can give the poor money

[@dagibbons]

How unpopular is this video? All the comments that are liked show how annoyed people are with this kind of diatribe and also how elitist the Guardian are. So well educated and fed are their journalists that they can afford to make videos attacking the very education they received. Then they put on this token woman who can't enunciate properly to cover their tracks.

[@Lil6hush]

This is jealousy

[@nazariit171]

Greed...

[@remotefaith]

And?

[@TheMiniMaestroMan]

This is class division caused by exploitation. :^)

[@Molloy1951]

Yes, we should.

[@charlottemajor-moroney5354]

Get rid of them. More radical than I have ever dared imagine but yes...why not? Would make a huge difference.

[@user-uv4xc6by6u]

Because people have the right to have variety, state run facilities feel the pinch if they are relied on too much, and people allowed to own private property, yes that includes schools

[@afcjonny1]

If you abolished private schools where would all the guardian columnists come from? Can we abolish the guardian instead?

[@rumpraisin]

My father went to a non fee paying grammar school. I went to a private school. He did much better acadamically than me and earnt much more money than I ever will.

[@someonegetsteve]

Yup, it's possible to rise above the ton of income-based disadvantages the English education system heaps on a child...the whole point of the video is the English education system perhaps shouldn't heap those tons of disadvantages on a child.

[@rumpraisin]

@@someonegetsteve The whole point of of the video is private education in the U.K. State schools in middle class areas are better than those in poorer areas. The left made a mistake by aiming to abolish grammer schools in the name of equality. At least they gave capable children from disadvantaged backgrounds stood a chance of getting a better quality of education. Nowadays they stand a hope in hell.

[@bobcassidy3285]

@@rumpraisin Grammar schools are the modern day con. The more wealthy parents, hire tutors for their children to pass the eleven plus. Out of my sons class 6 qualified for Grammar school, five of those were tutored outside school for a year before the tests. Only one passed without tutoring. Basically grammar schools are for the wealthy too.

[@rumpraisin]

@@bobcassidy3285My dad wasn't from a wealthy family. He was the youngest of a family of five children and was the only one to get any further education. He definitely didn't get any home tutoring. He delivered newspapers every morning before going to school.

[@benjd6017]

No, private schools make you work harder than state. They absolutely do not “fast track” anyone.

[@benchojnowski2198]

yes you have to work hard otherwise they can expel you and replace you in 2 secounds

[@crh7742]

I'd say being an Old Etonian is a fast-track to being broadly despised these days. Hardly surprising with alumni like Reese-Mogg and bumbling Boris!

[@billslim1112]

Its hard to make it to the top of society , but if your succesful enough to make it there ,then not only will you be rich and powerful ,but you can sleep well at night knowing that because of your hard work your children will be just as succesful if not more than you.

[@mub___lol9297]

well said! if you work hard during the start of your life- you'll reap the benefits for the rest of your life, including your children!

[@yyacea03]

Absolutely. I don't see why private schools would exist, ever.

[@fatfat1877]

Maybe because some people want better education for their children

[@yyacea03]

fat fat I think these people who have money and power should have to go to public schools so they work on better education for ALL children

[@PaulRix]

Or you could properly fund state schools so that the incentive to send your kids private isn't there?

[@bravoalley228]

good point but who decides the Budget? (the Elites) Maybe if their offspring were made to be educated with the masses, then they would consider properly funding state schools.

[@LWylie]

By what desire will government or Capital finance state schools?

[@PaulRix]

@@bravoalley228 who would be forcing the elites' offspring to be educated in state schools? The same people who could fund state schools by any chance?

[@jenpeuxplus5691]

i think people forget that private schools lessen the strain on the government’s money as they are funded purely by the money of the students’ families. which is why state schools don’t have luxurious facilities, it’s because there is a limit on the amount of money that can be given to each individual school so there’s also the limit of quality.. but you cant do anything about it, abolishing private schools would only increase the strain on the governments money for state schools, so would the quality of state schools even go up?

[@maddyg1634]

Honestly, getting rid of private schools is on of my biggest fears!

[@luzboroughlane7948]

Don't worry, it's not legally possible to do it.

[@goodheavens1]

Won’t happen

[@paulph12002]

Jeremy Corbyn - Attended a private school in Shropshire from the age of 7 to 11. John McDonnell - Attended £12,000 p.a. private school. Diane Abbott - Sent her son to a private school. Harriet Harman - Attended St.Paul's Girls School, an independent school in Hammersmith, West London. Shami Chakrabarti - Sent her son to a private school. Seumas Milne - Attended Winchester College, one of the oldest private schools. Typical Hard Left hypocrisy - don't do as I do, do as I say. They seem quite happy to have had the opportunity of attending private schools or sending their kids there, while denying the rest of us that choice.

[@livhayes608]

Improving the standard of state schools and abolishing private schools aren't mutually exclusive acts. You could even argue the two go hand in hand.

[@xNightbound]

I grew up in a state school, receiving free school meals. Do I feel remorse that others get nicer facilities in private schools? No not really. Having private schools gives you the opportunity to reward your children for your hard work but it doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at life coming from a state school. It just means you have to work a little bit harder and that isn’t a bad thing. Everyone is saying just improve the state schools but you’ve seen how dire our budget is already… we need to stop being jealous of what everyone else has and just work towards our own goals and be happy we are in a first world country, and we have the means to change our future.

[@Johnjackjack]

"It just means you have to work a little bit harder and that isn’t a bad thing. " this is a bad thing that society should not have and doesnt need to have it this way

[@MBReader410]

State schools could be transformed over night if state school parents paid modest fees , with means testing.

[@firstname8468]

I would’ve failed English and English literature if it were not for a private school

[@vachementchien]

Many years ago I went to private schools where I didn't do very well because I was "different". However, having an inventive mind which could be put to better use, I recently went back to Uni, studied and worked right through the pandemic as a VERY mature student and recently graduated with Honours in Product Design. This time the priviledge was not provided by my parents, impoverished (by fees), but the fact of being a repatriated Brit and able to access Student Finance Loans. The staff and teachers' unions were constantly on strike due to poor wages and zero contracts. Education in the UK needs a total reboot. How? I don't know ... but Old Etonians should definitely be prohibited from making that decision!

[@matteo-cu8uv]

the only thing you have abolished is the letter T...

[@nelsonfraser2800]

It’s so affected and false. Have you heard the mayor of London recently.......we can see through this nonsense

[@jeffhgv]

Abolish private schools, abolish religious schools. All schools 20 pupils to a class maximum? At the same time abolish private health and let the rich wait 2 weeks to see a doctor?

[@mech-E]

I don't think that people realize, it wouldn't change as much as you think. The same people, the same privilege, the same money, and the same connections. The same things happen either way.

[@archierch0463]

It shouldn't be a debate, all schools should be of a great quality, all children should be supported to do well and achieve their dreams. The fact this isn't the case in 21st century Britain is heartbreaking.

[@igweogba6774]

they will go to school in switzerland instead

[@tomio8072]

Igwe Ogba it doesn’t seem like Norway have lots of people leaving their country to allow their children to go through private schools. There are not that many there. Tbf

[@sterling7178]

I'm American but we are having a similar debate over here. I have three issues with it. First, its not as if private school parents are tax exempt from paying for public schools. So, private school parents pay for both. Second, the reason public schools are so poor is not because of the poor kids and not because the rich kids don't attend. Public schools failure is directly tied to the bureaucracy. In America, roughly $12,000 is paid per kid per year on average. That is nearly 3 times as much as tuition at the local private school. So, if private schools are educating children better, at lower cost, then an argument could be made to replace public schools with private schools. My third issue is the authoritarian nature of it all. And it boils down to this conversion from a system of merit to a system of equity. Not everything has to be equal. At some point, those on the left, need to accept that life is not overly fair. You could start every kid with the same resources and there will still be children who excel and those that fail. Are we to hold our entire society back so that poorer students and eventually workers can have an improved condition?

[@Abi-gw2el]

The odd thing is I go to a grammar school and what surprised me greatly was the amount of people who were well off. My school is also extremely rich for a independent school so i don’t think that there is any point in destroying private schools. It is just a matter of choosing which school is right for you even if it means travelling farther than you would have liked.

[@sweetdreamz9282]

ANOTHER SITUATION SO YOU CAN DECIDE: ok so public and private health care is what I will be talking about. Public healthcare is needed so people don’t die (become unemployed) but some people still die so the people who can pay other hospitals that aren’t funded by the government extra so they can have access to better machines (resources) and staff, therefore limiting the chances of dying. (This part wouldn’t happen in real life but let’s just say after you go to the hospital you need life insurance) afte the patients (pupils) are done in the hospital and are healthy (smart) enough to leave they go to the life insurance company to get insurance (an income from a job). The insurance company obviously wants the patients from the private hospital because they are less likely to die or be unhealthy (dumb I guess?)