Competition is key

August 15, 2008 · Filed Under Uncategorized · 1 Comment 

As the world watches the best athletes in the world compete in the 2008 Olympic games, it is clear to see that competition makes everyone work harder to be better.

And while certainly education is not the same as sports, the truth about competition remains the same.

The Financial Times of London looks at the state of British education and makes the argument that applying the competitive educational choice model that is proving successful in Sweden would be a positive reform that would benefit British students.

“A great number of young British people leave school lacking basic numeracy and literacy and, even in the recent period of record growth, have tended to drift directly into unemployment. This is a scandal. The British school system needs a radical overhaul.

The leading light in school reform is Sweden. The education system there is funded by vouchers. If parents wish to change school, they have the right to do so, and to take state funding with them. Schools must compete with one another to attract pupils. Any education provider has the right to set up a new school. Competition between schools is the key.”

Competition benefits all schools- public, private and parochial- making everyone work harder to achieve more. And this provides all students a better opportunity to succeed.

“The evidence suggests that adopting the Swedish model would make the average UK school better, and lift weaker schools most of all.”

You think PARENTS can choose where to educate their kids?

August 7, 2008 · Filed Under Uncategorized · Comment 

Via the Club for Growth, we find this very entertaining clip from a British TV show showing the Prime Minister suggesting that parents be allowed to decide where to educate their children.