South Carolina Supreme Court Rules Against Education Voucher Program

The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the state’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF), which allowed parents to use taxpayer dollars for private school tuition, is unconstitutional. In a 3-2 decision, the court emphasized that public funds cannot directly benefit private educational institutions, a violation of the state constitution. Justice Gary Hill, who authored the majority opinion, stated that the program undermines the constitutional right to free public education. The ruling leaves uncertainty for nearly 3,000 students who have already received funds, as it is unclear if they will have to return the money. The decision has sparked backlash among GOP leaders who had backed the program, seeing it as a significant defeat. The dissenting justices argued the program provided an indirect benefit and should remain intact, reflecting ongoing debates about school voucher systems across the country.