Does society need both private and public education systems? Discuss and give your opinion.
One of the hallmarks of an advanced society is its education system. After all, the United Nations states that every person has the right to an education. But should education be provided only by the government, or should private schooling also be available? Despite my opinion that every child must have the opportunity to go to a state-funded school, I also believe that sometimes children have special needs and often, only private schools can meet that need.
A major responsibility of the state is to ensure every child is educated in the basics of literacy, numeracy, and the sciences. Nowadays, government schools also provide much needed arts and the humanities programs as well, including the learning of second languages. So, it seems reasonable to argue that a state-funded education is enough, and that private schooling is not necessary. Unfortunately, this cannot be further from the truth. Government schools simply cannot meet every individual’s learning needs, so private schools are required as well. Government schools also become quite large in urban areas, so some students get ‘lost’ in the system.
Private schooling can have a narrower focus, resulting in more focused learning. For example, if a child has a certain sporting ability, he may need to go to a school which encourages this. Or if a student is extremely academic, she may need to attend a school for the gifted and talented. By contrast, I have taught children who required a more hands-on learning environment. Private schools undoubtedly offer a more specialised education. Religion may be another reason parents choose private schooling. An exclusive state education would deny these parents that chance.
It is clear that an exclusive state-run education system does not allow certain children to be educated according to their individual needs. Government schools have a wider focus and are often too large. Private schools provide a narrower learning focus and more individual attention. Society needs both.
318 words
A major responsibility of the state is to ensure every child is educated in the basics of literacy, numeracy, and the sciences. Nowadays, government schools also provide much needed arts and the humanities programs as well, including the learning of second languages. So, it seems reasonable to argue that a state-funded education is enough, and that private schooling is not necessary. Unfortunately, this cannot be further from the truth. Government schools simply cannot meet every individual’s learning needs, so private schools are required as well. Government schools also become quite large in urban areas, so some students get ‘lost’ in the system.
Private schooling can have a narrower focus, resulting in more focused learning. For example, if a child has a certain sporting ability, he may need to go to a school which encourages this. Or if a student is extremely academic, she may need to attend a school for the gifted and talented. By contrast, I have taught children who required a more hands-on learning environment. Private schools undoubtedly offer a more specialised education. Religion may be another reason parents choose private schooling. An exclusive state education would deny these parents that chance.
It is clear that an exclusive state-run education system does not allow certain children to be educated according to their individual needs. Government schools have a wider focus and are often too large. Private schools provide a narrower learning focus and more individual attention. Society needs both.
318 words