Is School a Scam? Breaking Down Simon Squibb’s Argument

imon Squibb isn’t just talking about education—he’s lived it.

After becoming homeless at 15, he had no choice but to take his future into his own hands.

Instead of following the traditional school-to-job path, he built his first business as a teenager. Over the next 30 years, he became a serial entrepreneur, spending 10 years in the UK and 20 years in Hong Kong starting and scaling businesses.

His last company, Fluid, was acquired by PwC, and he has since invested in 70+ startups over the past 15 years.

Despite his success, Simon has always questioned the education system. School failed him. It didn’t teach him financial literacy, how to start a business, or how to take control of his future.

Everything he learned, he learned through real-world experience. Now, he’s on a mission to help young people break free from the system and take charge of their own lives.

In a recent viral post, he laid out why he believes school is a scam and how the system is rigged against young people. Let’s break it down.

"Here’s £100,000. What will you spend it on? Bet you didn’t say university."

Simon kicks off with a thought experiment: If you were given £100,000, would you spend it on university? Most people wouldn’t. And yet, this is exactly what millions of young people do—taking on massive debt for a degree they might never use.

Unlike business loans, which require proof of a solid business plan, student loans are handed out freely—but only if you agree to sit in a classroom for years.

‍

"Here’s £100,000. What will you spend it on? Bet you didn’t say university."

Simon kicks off with a thought experiment: if you were handed £100,000, would your first thought be to spend it on university?

Most people wouldn’t. And yet, this is exactly what countless young people do—taking on six-figure debt for a degree they might not even use.

The education system is the only place where young people are encouraged to take on a huge financial burden without fully understanding the return on investment.

Unlike business loans, where banks assess risk and viability, student loans are handed out freely—but only if you agree to sit at a desk for years.

"But NOT ALL KIDS ARE THE SAME ! What about the kids who aren’t built for that?"

Simon argues that the traditional school system is a one-size-fits-all model that ignores the diversity of talents and learning styles. What happens to kids who don’t thrive in a classroom setting?

They’re given no alternative pathways, no financial support, and often no real guidance. Instead of being encouraged to explore entrepreneurship, creativity, or self-directed learning, they’re labeled as "non-academic" and pushed into whatever job they can find.

"They didn’t ‘tick the boxes’ of memorisation and sitting still. Creativity is stripped from a young age."

From an early age, school conditions students to follow rules, memorize facts, and conform to standardized testing. Creativity, problem-solving, and independent thinking take a backseat.

Simon suggests that this is intentional—a system designed to produce employees, not entrepreneurs. If kids were given more freedom to develop their skills and interests, many would likely pursue unconventional paths instead of the traditional university-to-job pipeline.

"A university degree isn’t a competitive investment."

This is one of the most hard-hitting points.

‍Degrees have lost value because of oversaturation. Every year, thousands of students graduate with the same qualifications, making it harder to stand out in the job market.

Yet, despite this, the cost of a degree keeps rising. Universities continue to charge higher tuition fees, promising a secure future that’s no longer guaranteed.

So, what does that leave young people with?

"An 18-year-old has 2 choices…

a) Six figures of debt and 4 years at a desk.
OR
b) Spend the rest of their life in a job they hate."

This is the trap the system creates. Many young people believe their only viable options are either:

• Going to university, taking on massive debt, and hoping it leads to a high-paying job.
• Skipping university and being forced into low-paying, unfulfilling work.

But why aren’t more options available? Why aren’t young people encouraged to start businesses, learn skills online, or take alternative paths to success?"With more options, more kids would chase their dreams.

"Simon argues that if the system truly supported young people, they would be given the freedom to explore entrepreneurship, learn financial literacy, and develop real-world skills. This would result in:

• More people building businesses
• More innovation
• A stronger economy with job creators, not just job seekers

And ironically, fewer people would feel forced into university. Instead, only those who genuinely need a degree—such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers—would pursue higher education.

This would make degrees more valuable and competitive, while also creating more space for alternative career paths."Is the system broken? Or is it designed this way?"

‍This is the ultimate question. Is the traditional education system outdated, or was it built to function exactly as it does—creating obedient workers rather than independent thinkers?

Simon’s argument suggests that keeping people trapped in student debt, dependent on corporate jobs, and fearful of taking risks benefits those at the top.

It ensures that large corporations always have a workforce willing to accept low wages and limited opportunities.So, What’s the Solution?Simon Squibb doesn’t just call out the flaws—he actively promotes alternatives.

He encourages young people to explore entrepreneurship, seek mentorship, and learn outside traditional systems. The rise of online education, self-directed learning, and AI-powered tools means there are more opportunities than ever to create your own path.

‍The real question is: Will you take control of your future, or will you let the system decide it for you?Would love to hear your thoughts!

Do you agree with Simon’s take? Have you found alternative ways to learn and build your career? 🚀 Let’s discuss!