my daughter chose to go to school here in portugal... it lasted a year, then she went back to the UK to live with her mum and go to school there. that lasted a year too. she couldnt take the bullies and oppressive adults (teachers). she did get a better grasp of portuguese, but my boys who didnt go to school still manage pretty well...
i think its all down to the individual child. most people can cope with having a boss. i cant, so i havent ever worked for anyone else. we are all different.
but, with schools i also think the ethos that is the problem. plenty of children enjoy school, and plenty of teachers dont abuse their power. but any organisation based on a heirarchical structure is open to abuse by those on higher rungs of the heirarchical ladder.
perhaps this is another reason why there are plenty of alternatives and home education groups these days. more and more people want their children raised in an ethos / culture of co-operation, caring etc. and although schools CAN be good, and the school experience great, the basis of that institution is of a power-over nature, rather than power-from-within.