If the government mandates that children attend school, it should also fund their education and give parents the freedom to choose the school they believe best suits their child’s needs. Families shouldn’t be restricted to schools based solely on their location.
Alternatively, the compulsory schooling requirement should be abolished. The government should not compel families with deeply held religious beliefs, who cannot send their children to public schools, to purchase a “government-approved” education.
Religious schools should not be classified as private schools. The term “private school” implies a higher quality of education, whereas many religious schools offer education on par with public schools. If parents wish to send their children to an elite, blue-ribbon private school, that cost should fall on them.