A free school is classified as a non-profit making, independent, state-funded school which is free to attend but which is not controlled by a Local Authority. They are subject to the same School Admissions Code as all of State-funded schools. The Department of Education must approve all free schools and they are expected to comply with standard performance measures. Supporters argue that they create healthy competition for public schools and increase standards. Opponents argue that the schools will divert money away from existing schools and only benefit middle-class students whose parents have the resources to start them.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Parish
Response rates from 11k Northern Ireland voters.
36% Yes |
64% No |
27% Yes |
49% No |
9% Yes, free schools will create more local competition and increase standards |
15% No, free schools divert money away from existing schools |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 11k Northern Ireland voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 11k Northern Ireland voters.
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Unique answers from Northern Ireland voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@9PV5ZPH5mos5MO
Yes, only if there is strict regulation to avoid biased education, and funds for existing schools are protected.
@9SKBZR93mos3MO
No, I wouldn't trust a bunch of random parents and old people to just start a "free school" I've never heard of this, that's crazy
@9S453F23mos3MO
Yes, but only if they are effectively targeted to areas in need and do not divert money away from existing schools.
@9QWDBPM4mos4MO
Yes, so long as they do not receive any government funding and pass government regulations and regular inspections
@9QS7F7T5mos5MO
Yes, if they remain secular, mitigating discrimination and polarisation, advocating equality and inclusivity
@9QPRKMV5mos5MO
I strongly disagree with privatized schools. I am suspicious of them by nature; as I know they've gotta make money from somewhere.
That being said; I'm not against charity-ran schools, or schools ran by small public individuals seeking to better their communities.
So: businesses? No. Charities, parents, or teachers? Yes.
Important distinction.
@93MNLQ3 5mos5MO
We cannot tell people that they cannot spend their money on certain things, but we should incentivise people to send children to normal comps.
@9QH3V9W5mos5MO
They should be able to create free schools using their own generated money not the public purse, until the standard of schools is brought up to a much higher standard.
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