IQ2 Debate: Public schools are a blight on British society (Highlights)

[elcamo1990]

so why if one has the money can they buy a superior car, more costly home , superior foods and more expensive clothes, but not a superior education. Efforts should spent improving the comprehensive sector rather than complaining about private and 'public' schools that produce excellent results year in year out.

[themog90]

I come from a low income family. I ended up getting a scholarship to Harrow. I am the only member of my family to have gone to university. I'm extremely fortunate. I think its interesting to see David Aaronovitch arguing against the existence of private schools when you consider that he sent his daughter to one.

[imafuckinglunatic]

The brightest student in my class in high school was below poor, had been abused as a kid, everything worse you can imagine. But he was his own person, nobody obstructed him from being what he wanted!

[imafuckinglunatic]

with all due respect, this isn't about marxism or fascism. It's about an education system that goes completely against the laws of free market and competition. What fault is there in a highly intelligent 6 year old kid that his mother is a street prostitute? and why would society pay private schools to see this kid not get a decent education, therefore not contributing to the country's development?

[fredmaxwell]

Yes, it's nearly impossible to defend the existence of public schools, but people should at least base their attacks on something more than these anachronistic generalisations belted out by Francis Wheen.

[MaxSafeheaD]

How can anyone can defend schools selecting children by how much money their parents have?

It's the very foundation of a plutocracy.

[iqsquared]

Full video will be available later in the day, but you can already download all the audio from our iTunes podcast.