It’s possible that the paradigm of education as we know it needs to change to better reflect the evolution of student expectations. But, at the same time I believe a significant amount of the expectations that we have been told have roots in Neo-liberal attempts to privatise in order to make the system cheaper.

This manual put out by the Canadian government about Corporate Social Responsibility speaks in direct contrast to most Neo-liberal policies:

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/csr-rse.nsf/eng/rs00591.html

The bottom line is that teachers, and especially effective teachers are a necessity that can’t be replaced by anything. Instead of focusing on that one (or more) teacher we hated growing up, we should try not to forget that teaching creates all other professions. Consequently, if we decrease the quality of education in the name of profit, everything we have, know and use to define ourselves will suffer as a result. Most of us remember that mentor, tutor or teacher that took the time to figure out how to best explain a difficult idea.

http://edweb.csus.edu/equity-center/assets/teacher-quality.pdf

Treating any system as an exploitable resource will lead to negative side effects such as instability, lack of consistency and a worsening bottom line and inferior product line. While in other industries this might create an unsustainable business model which will then cause the company to fail and another to fill its place, what we have to ask ourselves if that is what is most beneficial for our students?

The airline industry is a perfect example of something that used to be sustainable but was exploited mercilessly to detriment of the service provided:

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-few-statistics-on-the-decline-of-the-us-airline-industry-2011-7

Do we want our schools to become something akin to the American system where the lowest bidder is allowed to slowly exploit and pick apart the system to the detriment of future generations or do we want something more positive and sustainable?