Talking about schools we have that thing happening in Sweden. Because of the utter mismanagement of our public school system during the last few decades, parents have been taking their kids out of public schools and putting them into private (publicly-financed) schools. This in turn is forcing the public schools to become better, or go under. This is a good thing, not a bad. Hospitals and schools aren't the important thing, patients and pupils are, and they're voting with their feet.

Also, observe that it's not just the kids who're put into private schools who become better off, but the ones who stay in the improving public schools are also better off.

Personally I went to public schools. One was horrible, one was semi-good, and one was excellent.

In the best of worlds (ie Finland) we would only have public schools, and they would all be great. But just like when it comes to our healthcare system, such an outcome is impossible for political reasons, and this is the second best alternative.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.