John Piper posted an interesting quote on his blog yesterday. He writes,
J. Gresham Machen saw in 1933 what many are trying to say today about the need for private education.
The only way in which a state-controlled school can be kept even relatively healthy is through the absolutely free possibility of competition by private schools and church schools; if it once becomes monopolistic, it is the most effective engine of tyranny and intellectual stagnation that has yet been devised. (J. Gresham Machen: Selected Shorter Writings, 167)
Atara says
Well, I’m not sure I agree with this. In my observations, particularly true for my area, so many kids go to private school that the public schools have so few resources left. For example, a wealthy local man just donated more than a few dollars to help build a new private high school. One could say that our public schools need the funds more. However, if he donates to a public school, he will still have no say over the type and quality of education because it’s ultimately government run.