Education
Preparatory Reading On Privatizing Education
A lot of ink has been spilt lately on privatizing education, particularly by Atanu Dey (on IEB, and Pragati-Issue 2). I myself have tentatively supported vouchers in the past (Evaluating Vouchers). But the excessive liberal free-market promotion of the concept has me wondering if things are indeed as they seem. Before committing to a position, however, it is good to educate oneself, and I have begun to do that. Detailed thoughts will follow, but an old debate in the February 1997 issue of the World Bank Research Observer is extremely interesting, as it brings forth both pro- and anti- privatization arguments.
Prof. Edwin G. West has been perhaps the earliest and most compelling proponent of education vouchers. While he had written extensively prior to 1997, his paper “Education Vouchers in Principle and Practice: A Survey” is a great introduction into the views of the pro-privatization camp, with enough “empirical” research for the qualitatively inclined. He concludes:
Those who fear that government regulations associated with vouchers will ultimately strangle the individuality of private schools will insist that this may yet happen. Nonetheless significant numbers of families are now obtaining positive firsthand experience with private schooling through voucher systems.
In the same issue Martin Carnoy writes: “Is Privatization through Education Vouchers Really the Answer? A Comment on West” providing a counterpoint. In my opinion, it takes a more holistic, less regimented approach to education, concluding:
I would like to believe, with Professor West, in a panacea that could make everyone learn more without investing enormous time and effort in improving children’s nutrition, home lives, and the way all schools deliver knowledge. Our task as educators and social reformers would be that much simpler. Unfortunately, vouchers tend to divert attention from the overall complexity of the learning problem rather than providing a real solution.
I am still exploring the subject, and will write at greater length soon. But what seems obvious is that both sides are right, and both sides are wrong.
Voucher proponents are so enamoured by the perfection of their theory (free-markets, choice, competition) that they seem to forget the wide gulf that often exists between theory and practice, particularly in poor countries (this is evident from a reading of West’s paper). And equally, those against vouchers point fail to provide any alternative that would effectively address the failure of public education.
Discussion
5 comments for “Preparatory Reading On Privatizing Education”
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you may want to look at the work of James Tooley from Newcastle. He hasn’t worked as extensively on vouchers but has done lots of research and direct implementation of supporting private schools for the poor. it seems one of the big problems is that of accredidation (sp?) as ultimately it is usually the gov’t who gives the registrations for schools and ultimately controls the gov’t. There is some other work being tested in India with vouchers but inconclusive as yet. it is possible that vouchers may kick start the problem when school access in part due to costs are issue. Also, it is interesting that this issue is not an overseas development issue only but a big stance of Jeb Bush and conservatives in FL who tried to provide school vouchers as a way around substandard schools allowing the costs to be equivalent therefore providing public subsidies for private schools and sort of forcing schools to improve or lose students who now theoretically could choose. i think the main opposition was the education for all camp (which includes most thinking people) that says all schools should be run and held to high standards and it is the gov’ts responsibility to provide free schooling.
Dear Doug,
Thanks for the reference on James Tooley. I am very familiar with his ongoing work. As you point out he’s studied private education significantly. He recently was appointed head of the Orient Global Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Orient Global (an Asian private equity fund). OGF has been granted US$ 100 million to mainstream private education. My only problem with Tooley – and most other proponents of private education – is that he forgets that free markets seldom work in a lot of areas where private schools are being promoted.
BTW, your point on the politics of the issue is central to the debate. Many do believe that education for all should be the goal.
[...] have been tested worldwide in several countries – developing and developed and arguments for them exist on each side. But few have tested the underlying assumptions of [...]
[...] systems have been tested in several countries – developing and developed – and arguments exist for and against. But few have tested the underlying assumptions of the theory of [...]
[...] The idea that the withdrawal of the government will solve all of these problems is disingenous. As Martin Carnoy had commented with regard to education vouchers: I would like to believe, with Professor West, in a panacea that [...]