Sara Gezdari: Growing up in Albania showed me state controlled education is no good thing

Sara Gezdari was the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Richmond Park and North Kingston at the 2024 general election.

In the quiet hours of the morning, I find myself grappling with restless memories of my early education in Albania. Clad in a black uniform, with a red scarf around my neck, my formative years were marked by a rigid, almost mechanical routine.

Each day began by gathering to sing the official anthems of the Communist Party, followed by meticulous inspections of hair and nails; a prelude to a day that left little room for creativity or independent thought. This structured environment, though brief in my life, left an indelible mark in shaping my understanding of freedom and potential.

It was only upon my departure from Albania and subsequent arrival in Italy that I began to comprehend the profound privilege of choice – the ability to envision a future unconfined by predetermined paths.

This newfound freedom was both exhilarating and intimidating. After years of being conditioned to follow, I grappled with the daunting prospect of thinking for myself, feeling authentically, and dreaming without restraint in a landscape where rules had been dictated by others.

The past year in the United Kingdom has emerged as a litmus test for democracy, revealing a troubling erosion of faith in its institutions. Democracy, a delicate construct, cannot be reduced to mere campaigns, votes, or eloquent speeches.

In this digital age, words wield power that can be weaponised to undermine the very freedoms that this nation has historically championed; the freedoms that empower individuals like me to aspire for more than mere participation, but to envision a place at the decision-making table.

Recent developments under the Labour government raise alarms about the sanctity of this democratic ecosystem. The alarming trend of undermining freedom of speech, stripping independence from academies, and imposing a 20 per cent VAT on independent school fees pose significant threats to educational choice and accessibility.

History shows that socialist ideologies often promise an egalitarian society yet frequently lead to increased state control. The cycle of intention versus outcome reveals a stark reality where individual freedoms are compromised.

Education lies at the heart of this discourse. The Conservative government’s previous leadership left an unprecedented core school budget of £60.7bn for the 2024/25 fiscal year: the highest real-term funding per pupil in history. Instead of burdening independent schools with VAT, the focus was on elevating educational standards, resulting in England’s emergence as a leader in Western education.

Under Conservative leadership, the percentage of schools rated as good or outstanding surged to 90 per cent, compared to just 68 per cent under Labour, with our children recognised as the best readers globally.

Preserving VAT exemptions for independent schools is essential in keeping education accessible, thereby preventing fee hikes that could restrict options for families. Independent institutions play a critical role in diversifying educational landscapes and alleviating pressures on public resources.

As I reflect on these truths – grounded in facts – it is disheartening to observe the current Labour Government’s trajectory. In under a year, they have targeted various sectors: pensioners, businesses, disabled individuals, farmers, working families and more. The promise of a better future for Britain seems increasingly elusive, reminiscent of the disillusionment felt under the eight-year tenure of Sadiq Khan as Mayor of London, where the city has become less hospitable for families.

The spectre of safety looms large; in an era where criminals are released before serving their sentences, the police force appears more focused on policing social media than addressing pressing issues like the long-awaited gang rape public inquiry or the alarming prevalence of children as young as 11 carrying knives to school.

In these turbulent times, the need for accountability, a shared vision, and a commitment to the principles of democracy is paramount. As we navigate through these challenges, the freedom to choose, to educate, and to dream must remain safeguarded, for it is through these freedoms that we truly honor the essence of democracy.