Low-fee private schools failing to offer quality education — report

AMMAN — A report released Wednesday sets out the "corrosive consequences" of increasing privatisation in education, casting doubt on the ability of for-profit, low-fee private schools to achieve quality education for all.

The report, conducted by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and released by the Arab Campaign for Education for All (ACEA), said the spread of low-fee private schools leads to greater inequality and social segregation.

“Education is a human right and not a service that can be given up as soon as an economic crisis happens,” ACEA Vice President Refaat Sabbah said.

At a press conference to launch the report, Sabbah added that the study confirms the right of free and mandatory education.

Low-fee private schools have been put forward as a way to address the failings of public education systems in several developing countries, with advocates claiming they deliver a quality education for the poorest families at a low cost, according to the report. 

But the schools provide low quality education, the report found, suggesting that smarter tax policies can help countries cover the shortfall in funds to provide everyone with a quality education in public schools. 

“There should be no room for profit-making from education — and certainly not from the poorest people in our societies,” the report quoted GCE President Camilla Croso as saying.