Should you or should not you pay for your child’s education? Mant parents believe that catholic schools provide an overall better education for their children than the public schools. Why choosing the public school instead of a catholic school?

First, children in public school system receive the same quality of education, if not better. Some studies show that students from the catholic settings are not well-prepared to pass the standardized tests, not to mention the fact that they are not motivated to go to college. What is the reason for this laxness? Is there anything to do with the fact that children in the catholic installations are not allowed individuality and lack of personal space? In public schools students got used to cope with their problems. They learn from experience how to survive in high school. Instead of being secluded in a ‘fantasy world’ far from the reality, students in public settings struggle over their independance. What’s more, children in public schools have higher test scores than the students in the catholic schools. When it comes to academics, there should be two options ahead of you - either public school or boarding school. You do not have to struggle over a choice between public school and catholic school! Choose the public school.

Second, catholic schools cost a small fortune by comparison to public schools. Should they offer a theological addition to your children’s education, they can still be prohibitively expensive. Not only do you have to pay a tuition, from which children in public schools are exempted because they are state funded, but also you have to take into account all the monetray expenses raised by private schooling such as uniforms, sports fees and occasionaly transportation costs.

Third, should catholic schools have smaller size class and allow a more intimate teacher/student involvment, they also enhance somewhat feeling of seclusion. Children having attended catholic schools tend to be less extroverted to people by comparison with students in public schools. While public schools nurture open mindedness and encourage students to be critical, catholic schools tend to impose strict regulations and demand total obedience of their students.

Furthermore, catholic installations do not always practice what they preach. There are a great number of lifestyles which are unacceptable in the eyes of the church. Should we let our children being brainwashed by catholic teachers? Let’s give them a chance to find their own views by themselves. Let’s allow them learn from experience the real world. The world in which racial diversity is not something abnormal. The world in which sexual orientation is not considered wrong in any way.

Should public schools have a larger class size, they open students to more of a ‘real world’ environment. Do not forget, different lifestyles, upbringings and classes grow character and allow teenagers a better chance of survival in our constantly changing society. While catholic schools produce naive children brought up in a somewhat secluded world, public schools allow children to confront their problems and live a ‘real life’ in the real world.

All in all, catholic and public schools have their own benefits, but if you want your child to grow character, to be open-minded about diversity of the world, choose the public school. Children must not live in secluded world far from the reality, because it can be dangerous for them. They must mature as independent and open-minded individuals who know how to cope with the ‘real world’.