Aye, I mean for example my ex went to a private school and got a really good education, but was still a very down-to-earth nice person (whereas some of the other kids at her school whom she'd moan about were really spoiled and out of touch), and meanwhile her dad grew up poor with a shit education but was smart so became successful and wanted something better for her daughter, so that I can definitely understand and respect.

However yeah, my area's very similar - fancy state-of-the-art private schools, and then dilapidated comps which are just getting poorer and worse, like the one I went to lol, it's such a stark divide and contrast.

I would be inclined to agree with you on the monopoly thing but to be honest such a vast majority of kids already go to state schools, so the state already has that... and you could argue that is private institutional power over youth really any more desirable?