Lomond School, a fee-paying private institution with over £3 million in debt, has announced a long-term partnership with Scholarium, a Swiss-based organization led by Rahim Taghizadegan. The move has sparked concern among parents due to Taghizadegan's radical views, which include skepticism of modern democracy, advocacy for 'unschooling,' and promotion of tax avoidance strategies.
The partnership comes as Lomond School's annual accounts are overdue, and the institution carries a £3.5 million debt secured against its assets. Parents expressed confusion and alarm over the lack of transparency regarding the deal and Taghizadegan's unconventional philosophy.
A letter to parents stated that the partnership with Scholarium was pursued after a previous deal with QED Schools Group fell apart. The letter described Scholarium as an organization "dedicated to developing innovative approaches to learning" and noted that its founder, Taghizadegan, is an economist and author who has taught at universities across Europe. Scholarium is reportedly taking responsibility for securing the school's future.
Taghizadegan, who is also the director of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland and CEO of AI firm Krin, has promoted concepts like 'Bitcoin citadels' and 'flag theory.' Flag theory is a financial strategy that allows individuals to legally minimize tax obligations by establishing residency, banking, and business operations in multiple countries. He has also co-founded Citadel Garden, an initiative aiming to create communities for 'Bitcoiner families' to live in by frequently relocating to avoid tax liabilities.
His public discourse, often in cryptocurrency and alternative lifestyle forums, has included discussions on 'unschooling'—an educational approach where children are not taught in a traditional school setting or manner—and a deep skepticism towards conventional politics and European democracy. Taghizadegan has cited controversial economist Hans-Hermann Hoppe as an influence, though he stated he does not fully adopt Hoppe's positions and disagrees with many of them.
Parents voiced worries about due diligence, particularly concerning an organization led by someone with Taghizadegan's unconventional political and economic philosophies being involved in the school's future. The school charges up to £48,000 annually and educates approximately 300 pupils from age three to 18.
Taghizadegan initially claimed that Scholarium arranged significant six-figure rescue funding for the school under intense time pressure, stating, "Without my intervention, the school would have closed." However, he later retracted this statement, calling it an "unsubstantiated overstatement" and clarifying that he made no personal six-figure financial offer. Addressing his political views, he clarified, "I do not reject democracy. My criticism is directed principally at EU centralism and top-down institutions over which citizens have little meaningful control."
Lomond School was contacted for comment.