Vol. 181 / "Free Education" Is Not Free
As a fundamental premise, we should not call it "free education" but rather "publicly funded education."
This policy makes public and private schools almost the same.
I am opposed to the idea that all school education should be funded entirely by public money.
In fields such as natural sciences or mathematics, it's hard to imagine significant differences in content between public and private schools.
However, when it comes to subjects involving ideology or culture, where students learn about many different ways of thinking, studying at a distinctive private school can be deeply meaningful.
If school education becomes uniform and subject to political control, it’s easy to imagine scenarios like the problem with the Science Council of Japan under the Suga administration.
Faith-based schools are a good example—what is difficult to do in public education often becomes a unique strength in private education.
One important job of the government is to decide how to use tax money.
I agree with the idea that education is important, but there is also a field called social education that is separate from school education.
In fact, school education is already supported by substantial subsidies for private schools.
I think more money should go to social education.
Performing or teaching for the elderly or kids outside of school often pays very little money—almost like doing it for free.
It’s not easy to say how much politics should take part in private education.
If the government controlled all media, it would be easy to control people’s opinions.
People often get into trouble because they accept money they shouldn’t.
I don't want to see all education, public or private, fall completely under political control.
＝ July 8, 2025 / MoTet ＝
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