Ever wondered why public schools are better than private schools? Public schools have several advantages, which we will cover in this article, and why they are better than private institutions.
It can be complicated for you as a parent to decide which school to enroll your child, especially if there aren’t enough resources. Not making decisions fast and smart can also cause your child to resume school late, becoming a headache for the child and you as a parent.
You want to take your child to a public school, but you’re wondering what people will say and if that’s the best option for your child.
In this article, you’ll learn why you should enroll your child in a public school and why public schools are better than private ones. Take your favorite position because it will be a fantastic long ride. At the end of this post, you’ll know the best school to enroll your child in.
Public School vs. Private School
There are two choices of education that a child can learn from. They are categorized into Public and Private schools.
Public schools are centers of learning owned by the government. They have been seen as a go-to place for low and middle-class citizens who can’t afford to enroll their children in private schools.
Private schools are centers of learning owned by individuals or organizations. They’re mostly filled with children whose parents can afford the enrollment fees and other school charges.
Undoubtedly, “Public schools versus Private schools” has been flying around for a while. While it is important to know what kind of school to enroll your child in, it is also essential that you have a sound understanding of the difference between public and private schools.
Reasons why Public Schools are better than Private Schools
Apart from the fact that enrolling your child in a public school can cost you nothing or less, there are also other good reasons you should enroll your children in a public school.
1. It costs you little or nothing.
One of the most important differences between a public and private school is the cost. Public schools are more budget-friendly than private schools.
Besides minor charges, taking your ward to a public school saves you cash. Public schools offer your child adequate knowledge and quality education. In so many public schools, it costs nothing to get into the school because the government has paid for it.
Sending your child to a private school may cost you a fortune or lead to bad debt. Why not go for the public school option when you can’t afford it?
It helps save costs on the family’s part. Rather than spending heavily on a private school and running into bad debt, you can use the resources to cater to your child’s and some family’s pressing needs. This will go a long way in helping every member of the family.
2. No religious biases
Some private schools have a long tradition and religious aspects that often play a significant role in their curriculum. In public schools, there is no religious discrimination whatsoever. All students are treated as one, irrespective of their religious background.
Religion can lead to the isolation of your children in private schools. You wouldn’t want that, would you? Public schools give students a chance to practice their religion unashamedly.
Most private schools do not allow students to openly practice what they believe in. Unlike public schools, where your child can openly declare his/her religion without discrimination.
3. The best teachers are employed.
You’d agree that public schools have better teachers than private schools. This is because their teachers are well-screened before accepting them to teach the school children. When choosing a school for your children, you want them to have the best teachers possible. You want lifelong, committed educators who entered the profession as a calling and dedicated their lives to young people.
When the best teachers impart knowledge to your child, doesn’t it automatically mean your child will become one of the best or even the best? Public school teachers are required to be certified by the state. So, you can’t find an unqualified teacher imparting knowledge to your child.
According to data found in 2018, the percentage of new teachers (less than four years of teaching experience) is higher in private schools at 16%, compared with public schools at 11%.
Public school teachers also have a higher percentage of master’s degrees — 48% compared to 36% in private schools. Also, more public school teachers participate in professional development yearly than private school teachers.
The government ensures public school teachers are well-equipped to confidently teach students the right knowledge. With good teachers teaching your child, you have no fear that he/she won’t do well. A qualified teacher also boosts the parent’s confidence because they rest assured their children are in good hands.
4. Accessibility
Unlike private schools, students can be admitted into public schools without discrimination. They provide access to education for every child in the community. This ensures that every student in a neighborhood has the same educational opportunities as the neighbors down the street, regardless of their current personal or financial situation.
No matter who your offspring is or how good or bad a student is, public school operators believe they can help the youngster succeed.
Most private schools select the kind of students they want in their schools; they do not give the freedom of “any child can come in” Their students are carefully selected and adequately screened. Public schools allow children from different backgrounds access to education at little or no cost.
5. Social Interactions
It might sound a bit funny, but taking your child to a public school opens more opportunities for him/her. Children in public school classes are more in numbers than in those of private schools; this opens children to meet new people whose beliefs might be entirely different from theirs.
It also opens them to more opportunities that might only become visible soon. It ensures they have new learning experiences and become exposed to different cultures they can learn from.
Children can interact with other kids and become more sociable. This also allows them to defend themselves whenever the need arises. They also learn how to deal with different kinds of people. They learn to share this world with other humans from various racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
When a child is socially smart and upright, it gives such a child an edge over his/her peers. It helps the child become familiar with socializing with people and their importance.
6. Academic Opportunities
Public schools often have the resources to offer more academic opportunities, like advanced classes and courses in some subjects. They also have the privilege to attend competitions which increase the children’s mental capacity and strength.
Students become more open to receiving scholarship opportunities and more visibility for the children. Going to competitions and gatherings outside the school walls broadens the horizon of the students and keeps them enlightened.
7. Accountability
The state holds public schools accountable for the student’s academic performance. This leads to proper management of the students’ performances in school, and they are seen excellently in their studies.
This prevents abuse and leads to the management of failing schools much more quickly than if the school did not have such accountability. Accountability helps to keep the teachers and school management on track.
It ensures that the teachers are doing their job as expected. Accountability also ensures that the students get adequate attention and are taught as required.
8. Public schools are more reliable.
You take your children to a private school and are unsure if it’ll be there tomorrow. Public schools will also be there if there’s one thing to be sure of. It’s been there for decades, and it’s not leaving.
Public schools, except on rare occasions, are better grounded than many private schools. A lot of public schools have been in existence for decades ago and are still standing strong.
Private schools can run out of business due to debt and other factors, but it isn’t the same for public schools. Since they are owned and funded by the state government, they are never established to run out.
9. Special Education Programs
Public schools are often better equipped to offer comprehensive special education programs compared to their private counterparts. This advantage stems from federal laws in many countries, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States, which mandate public schools to provide services to all students with disabilities.
Also, public schools typically have a team of qualified professionals who specialize in special education.
10. Community Engagement
Public schools, by their very nature, are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. This integration into the local environment offers unique advantages that are often less pronounced in private school settings.
Through community-based projects and local initiatives, students gain hands-on experience in contributing to societal development. Also, public schools have the unique ability to adapt their curriculum and programs to meet the specific needs of their community.
FAQ
Most primary and secondary public schools are free, but your children’s basic needs, like uniforms and books, might not be free. Not all higher institutions are free, either. But they are quite affordable, unlike private schools. So taking your child to a public school might be your best option.
Private schools can adopt a curriculum and set standards for themselves. On the other hand, public schools have their curriculum properly monitored by the government. Therefore, teachers can’t add unnecessary activities that are unimportant to the student’s growth.
No, taking your children to a public or private school does not determine how they’ll turn out. Taking them to a public school is securing their future by giving them a quality education, but that doesn’t mean they must also put in the work.
Check out their security systems before enrolling your child in any public school. Do they have guards? Are their guards active? Do they allow children to leave the school premises anyhow? These and other questions should be answered before enrolling your child. If it comes out positive, you can rest assured your child is safe in school.
For safety reasons, enrolling your child in a nearby public school can be the best option. But you can opt for a farther one if there’s no public school nearby. Nevertheless, the most important thing is giving your child a quality education and, at the same time, being safe in the process of receiving it.
Conclusion
Public schools have been termed as those which are for children whose parents are not privileged enough to afford a private school. In getting to this stage, you’d have decided if a public or private school is appropriate for your child.
I’m sure whichever you pick is your child’s best decision. However, nothing beats the fact that giving your child a quality education is necessary and of utmost importance.
Enrolling your children in a good school is giving your child the best thing he/she could ask for. Investing in your child’s education is one of the most important things you can give your child.
Public schools have a lot of edges over private schools, which have been listed in this article. Whatever decision you make now will decide what kind of education your child gets.
Enrolling your child in a public school can never get outdated. Public school students come out better, just like private school students. It would be best to focus on giving your child nothing but the best.
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Sam is a brilliant young Nigerian biochemistry student and an aspiring entrepreneur. Despite facing many challenges, he has never lost his passion for learning and drive to make a difference in the world. Read more about him here.
Very impressive
You already convinced me with all the answers you gave me
Thanks