Education by the State

Abstract

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights promises free elementary education and free choice of schools. Why, then, do governments limit parents' choice of free education, often to schools owned and operated by the state? Defendants argue that this is necessary to transmit common values of society to the next generation, correct market failures of public goods, protect children from poor choices their parents might make, or promote equality of opportunity. This essay examines each of these arguments.

Keywords: education, human rights, public goods, vouchers, India

JEL Classification: H52, I28