this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2023
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Got any source for that? That's in pretty stark contrast to what I see him doing now with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Keep in mind one of the biggest parts of Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is funding Charter Schools (a type of private school). The foundation is so large they functionally set the curriculum in our school system (since schools that don't follow their curriculum don't get funding).
It's not about charity, it's about privatization and control.
No, they don't set the curriculum, and charter schools are still free- also, generally from my experience public schools aren't exactly bastions of good curriculum
I don't see how funding education is a bad thing, and I don't believe the Gates Foundation is intent on controlling things. It's not like they get any equity for their donations.
I'll be honest, I had to look up what it even means to be a charter school, since they don't exist in Canada (except for Alberta apparently). I'm not sure I agree with their weird public/private position for accountability, but I certainly don't equate donating money to them as wanting control and privatization. Charter schools are also funded by tax dollars anyway.
Charter schools are a bit of a hot topic in the US right now because the GOP is pushing them really hard. There are pros and cons - it's a complicated issue.