Public schools vary by country, with most being government-funded institutions. In the UK and its Commonwealths, public schools are private institutions. Public education is compulsory in most countries and teacher qualifications are required. Standardized testing is used to monitor the system. An educated population benefits society, but achieving the goals of public education is debatable.
Public schools can be very different types of educational institutions, depending on the country in question. In most parts of the world, a public school is an educational institution run and funded by the government, usually through taxes. In the UK and its Commonwealths, public schools are actually independent or private institutions run by organizations other than the government.
With the exception of the British model, public schools are the result of the concept that a government has some responsibility for the education of its citizens. As a result, most public schools are either free or charge only a small materials fee. Countries follow very different education models, but most provide public education throughout childhood and into the late teens.
Some countries, such as Denmark, also provide free university education to students who are citizens, while many others have some sort of partially government-subsidized university program. In the United States, the government operates hundreds of state colleges, but students are required to pay tuition and other fees. While there are some government loan programs and financial aid available to U.S. students, many experts believe that failure of state universities to adequately fund them will lead to undereducated publics and the creation of large numbers of young adults with substantial loan debt. .
In the UK, a public school is defined as the exact opposite of the form of institution. Public schools in the UK, Wales, Northern Ireland and former UK territories such as India and Pakistan are privately funded schools which often charge high tuition fees and set high standards for admission. Tuition fees for UK model public schools often include room and board, and many students live in the school during term time. Many public schools in the UK have impressive academic histories and a long tradition of family attendance for generations.
Australia has an interesting blended form of public schools, drawing on both its British heritage and more common public education concepts. While the schools are paid for by the government, academically advanced students can apply for accelerated programs called government selective schools. These institutions are comparable to college prep schools and feature highly competitive atmospheres. For those unable or uninterested in accelerated education, the Australian Government also operates general public schools.
In most countries where public education is common, education is compulsory up to a certain age or grade. To become a public school teacher, most countries require certain qualifications from accredited universities, as well as a good public reputation. Governments often keep tabs on the public education system through the use of standardized system-wide testing. These tests, while highly controversial in determining intelligence or ability, serve as an indication of basic skills such as literacy and simple math.
The benefits of a public school system are evident in principle, if not always in practice. A country with an educated population aims to raise the skill level of the workforce and improve public debate. Informed citizens may be more likely to make carefully considered decisions regarding the country’s future. It is somewhat debatable whether most societies are actually achieving the lofty goals of public education, yet most experts agree that these goals are vital to the welfare of the state.
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