There is freedom in education

Learning is part of life, from newborn through adulthood. It is neither too early or too late to get an education, and to acquire more knowledge. Knowledge once obtained can never be taken away from you. Once you can read, you can do anything.

Public tax dollars should go to public schools, not private institutions or homeschooling. The South Carolina General Fund serves as the primary operational account for financing the daily and long-term general services of the state government.

Those services specifically include funding K-12 public schools, state colleges, and technical universities. Private and religious-based schools are not included. The $114.5 million allocated for the 2026-27 school year vouchers are allocated for 15,000 students.

Those funds could be better spent improving the schools that need more teachers, upgraded facilities and educational materials and technology, rather than being indiscriminately distributed elsewhere.

In addition to required academic readings, every student should have free access to a variety of reading material that matches their interests, hobbies and preferred genres.

Photo: I am standing in front of a Delta “people mover” at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. I would not have had this experience without a solid public education that enabled me to join the U.S. Navy, and become successful as a journalist in the Navy and as a civilian.