The major proponents of the changes that would see the abolishment of private schools in the UK are strongly criticized by Christopher King, a representative of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS). King has argued that private schools are the most diverse institutions in the country.
The United Kingdom’s Labor party has come under fire after endorsing legislation that would see stripping of private schools their charity status. The legislation will also restrict students from higher education, as all the school fees will have a value-added tax (VAT). the state to redistribute their endowments, investments, and properties to states.
King has been very vocal against this new legislation. IAPS represents over 6000 private schools country-wide with a population of around 160,000 students. His message has been centered around the misrepresentation of private schools by the media and the labor party.
Private schools promote diversity
King has argued that private schools are some of the most diverse schools in the countries contrary to the widespread public opinion stating otherwise. He has gone further by comparing the schools he represents with other the state schools and argues that at any prep school class you enter, you will be met by more diversity than any state.
He is quoted as saying,
Visit a typical independent school classroom with children of any age and you will see a more ethnically diverse group of faces looking back at you than is likely to be the case elsewhere.
However, this has been refuted by multiple heads of school teachers, with one headteacher who spoke anonymously saying that any state school is more diverse in terms of social-economic backgrounds than the most diverse prep school in the country. She continued by saying,
Prep schools usually offer no bursaries or financial scholarships, they are worse in that respect than public schools.
Premium products in return for higher fees
The prep school fees is a king’s ransom with an average of just over £13,000 annual for a day schooler. For an average citizen, this amount is unaffordable and considering that most of these schools have been categorized as charity organizations, most people have always questioned the logic behind the tax exclusion of these organizations.
Kings, however, has always been quick to defend such allegations by stating that they offer premium products which justifies the fees they require to be made.
This debate is not over yet and there will be twists and turns in determining how to proceed in the abolishment of private prep schools that the labour party is suggesting. Considering the age of students involved, where it is estimated that they leave the prep school at only 13 years, any legislation must recognise that their decision will affect these kids forever. The passing of this legislation will have a lot of opposition.
