Schule am Ende?

State-funded and controlled public schooling is increasingly being criticised. The promise of securing or even improving the future of the next generation and society through school education is fading against the backdrop of perceived grievances. Be it refugee movements, financial crises or pandemics - schools are becoming a projection screen for disputes that go far beyond what the institution of school can actually achieve. Disappointed promises, failed attempts at reform and heated debates about the state of public schools are driving parents into costly alternative activities (growing private school provision, booming private tuition market, etc.) with massive social consequences. These are widening the social divide, making education dependent on financial means and gradually turning public schools into 'residual schools'. The ninth volume in the "Critical Reflections" series discusses the social consequences by describing and commenting on loud criticism of public schools. What if schools as we (still) know them will soon no longer be attended? And what does this mean for democracy if one of its last institutions crumbles?