[Leifur]

Check my above reply.

I forgot to answer the question about private schools, of course they do exist, but in many countries students in them do not get their share of tax dollars that would otherwise be used for their education in the government run schools.

Sweden does though have a voucher system, both for private and public schools.

Iceland does require municipialities that allow private schools (I think they have to allow it) to pay for each student in them at least 75% of what they pay for students in their public system.

[LongElegantLegs]

Ah, a voucher system; that makes sense.
Still, I think that the principle of the thing is important. The thought of being fined or imprisoned for taking responsibility for my own children turns my stomach.

[wolf78]

I forgot to answer the question about private schools, of course they do exist, but in many countries students in them do not get their share of tax dollars that would otherwise be used for their education in the government run schools.

The right to private schools is enshrined in the German constitution (§7.4 GG "Das Recht zur Errichtung von privaten Schulen wird gewährleistet."). State law regulates the financial aspects, but usually the taxpayer covers most of the expenses (e.g. teachers' salaries), as not to put private schools at a disadvantage or only make them an option for the uber-rich ("Die Genehmigung ist zu erteilen, wenn die privaten Schulen in ihren Lehrzielen und Einrichtungen sowie in der wissenschaftlichen Ausbildung ihrer Lehrkräfte nicht hinter den öffentlichen Schulen zurückstehen und eine Sonderung der Schüler nach den Besitzverhältnissen der Eltern nicht gefördert wird.".).