Schooling Criminals? Chapter 12

In a debate over native crimes between Mr. de Villiers and Mr. Scott, Mr. Scott asks if “schooling simply means cleverer criminals” (76). Paton does not leave a clear answer to whether schooling does make cleverer criminals or not. The argument just falls apart. The argument is a strong one with both opposing sides having strong positions against each other. I believe schooling does not mean cleverer criminals. Schooling is for people to be educated. Governors do not want Johannesburg to be an uneducated society. It would prove to have a bad reputation among people and travelers would not want to go there. Plus, schooling has not been tried for most Africans. If Africans were put to school, then they would be educated. They would understand what to do and what not to do. Once they marry and have children, they can tell their children about what is right and what is wrong. Then the children will tell their children and it will end the vicious cycle. Even if schooling does create cleverer criminals, most criminals would understand the consequences to committing crimes. Knowledge would be the deterrent for committing crimes. At least “cleverer criminals” know what is wrong. Schooling criminals is a way to keep them from committing crimes. By the way, who knows what kind of minds dwell in the children who are not educated? These children who are not educated could have the key to stop racial profiling, the key to stop discrimination, the key to change the world.