Ep 6. What's Wrong with Our Schools?

Free To Choose - The Original 1980 TV Series was a seminal show that explored the ideas of economist Milton Friedman and his philosophy of free-market economics. This philosophy emphasises individual freedom and responsibility, limited government intervention, and private enterprise as the key drivers of economic growth and prosperity. The series ran for 10 episodes and explored various topics related to economics and politics, including education, healthcare, and the role of government.

Episode 6 of Season 1 is titled 'What's Wrong with Our Schools?' and focuses on the American education system. The episode starts with a simple question: why are American schools failing? Friedman argues that the answer lies in the way the system is structured. He notes that the education system is highly centralised, with decisions about curriculum and funding being made by politicians and bureaucrats at the federal and state levels rather than by parents and teachers at the local level. This, he argues, leads to a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to cater to the individual needs and talents of each student.

Friedman also points out the problem of public education's monopoly over the provision of education. He argues that competition is needed to drive innovation and improve outcomes, and that the lack of competition in the education sector has led to stagnation and inefficiency. Another issue he highlights is the lack of accountability in the public education system. Since public schools are funded by taxpayer dollars, they are not subject to market pressures and have no real incentives to improve. As a result, poor-performing schools continue to receive funding and remain open despite their low success rates.

The episode then moves on to discuss the role of teacher unions in the education system. Friedman argues that teacher unions have been a major obstacle to reform, as they often resist changes to the system that would threaten their job security and pay. He notes that this is not to say that all teachers are uninterested in improving the system, but rather that the union's interests often conflict with those of students and parents.

Friedman goes on to present several solutions to the problems he identifies, including vouchers and charter schools. Vouchers are a system in which parents are given money by the government to use towards the school of their choice, whether public or private. This would encourage competition and give parents greater control over their children's education. Charter schools, on the other hand, are publicly funded schools that operate independently of the traditional district system. They are typically run by private companies or nonprofit organisations and have greater autonomy over their curriculum and operations.

Throughout the episode, Friedman emphasises the importance of individual liberty and choice in education. He argues that government should not be in the business of dictating what students should learn or how they should learn it, but rather should provide them with the means and opportunities to pursue their own goals and interests. He also stresses the need for parents to take an active role in their children's education, rather than relying on the government to do it for them.

Overall, 'What's Wrong with Our Schools?' is a thought-provoking and insightful episode that raises important questions about the American education system. It challenges viewers to consider alternatives to the current system and to think critically about the role of government in education. For anyone interested in education policy or the philosophy of individual freedom and responsibility, this episode is an excellent introduction to the ideas of Milton Friedman and his followers.