Privatisation And Education

Question 1

What is privatisation

Answer 1

A process where institutions or other bodies are transferred from being owned by the state to being owned by private companies

Question 2

Privatisation within education system

Answer 2

Schools operate like private businesses
-performance targets
-marketing
-greater efficiency and profitability
Schools able to opt out and LEA control and manage themselves
Academisation- importing business principles into education establishments

Question 3

Privatisation of education

Answer 3

Outsourcing of services within education to private companies

• growth of academy trusts
• educational consultants
• examination services
• developing educational brands
• private investment in school buildings

Question 4

How does this apply to contemporary education

Answer 4

Range of academy trusts operating large number of sites
783 academy trusts operating in UK, 13 MATs have 26 or more schools
Growth of exam boards, such as Pearson, supply exam materials globally

Question 5

Criticisms

Answer 5

• Control over the curriculum by companies could influence the content taught
• BALL cola-isation of schools (big companies making students become consumers)
• focus on profit rather than progress- some courses/services cut if unprofitable
• academies can use untrained and unqualified teachers
• can opt out of national curriculum