I posted several blogs ago about the debate on who should be running our schools—politicians or educators. Well, I forgot to mention another potential party, private business, and it seems the residents of Jamaica are having this very debate, according to a letter to the editor in the Jamaica Gleaner News.
The argument centers around the premise the if competition is allowed into public education, then private, profit-motivated corporations would strive to provide the best education possible in order to win and keep government bids. Private companies would also be able to raise money and cut costs, keeping the cost of education down resulting in better education than anything the government could provide. But I just don’t think this is the case. While private companies might be able to inject money and make changes more quickly than the government, there are just too many variables and problems associated with trying to profit off education. Ultimately, someone has to pay the price if and when profits are not as high as they need to be. Who would that be? The students?
For public education, the direction and decisions should come from educators and parents. Government and businesses input is welcomed, and their support is needed, but if our goal is to leave no child behind, then profit must not enter the equation. I just don’t believe it will work. And that means the government, with all of its warts, is the best entity to oversee public education. As long as elected officials do not interfere so much, and let educators do what they are trained to do best—educate our children.
Part of our public officials jobs is to carry out the will of the people..aka PARENTS. Teachers would do an excellent job with the aide of government if Public School Administration would quit trying to micromanage its employees.