After playing Jason Bourne, Matt Damon is back again in the big screen but in an entirely different role and a 'Backpack Full of Cash,' a new movie that has something to do with illegal money dealings. However, this does not have to do with gambling or drugs.
A 'Backpack Full of Cash' is a 90-minute documentary which explores the privatization of public schools and its effect to the current system. Damon serves as the narrator of the documentary informing viewers about the policies that critics say will destroy the U.S. Public school institution.
The term "backpack full of cash" is an analogy which refers to students being given the freedom to choose and bring their share of public education dollars, their 'backpack full of cash,' to any educational institution they want. The phrase can also refer to wealthy philanthropists who spend a lot of money to support their education pet projects although there have been no thorough research that the system they are supporting works.
Damon, who is a strong advocate of education, said that he got involved in the documentary because he wants to take part in sharing an important story how education reforms and policies are actually causing harm to the children.
He said that the expansion of charter schools are draining away the funds from the public schools and only benefiting some children while leaving others to suffer. He added that he wanted to see every child given equal chance in education.
On the other side of the fence, those who support privatization of public education say that allowing a manager run public schools like businesses is much more effective than allowing the government to run it.
According to Samuel E. Abrams, director of the National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, the clamor for privatizing the public school comes from the lack of transparency for proper contract enforcement.
