Private Education and Development: A Missed Connection? (Part III) | James Tooley | Cato Institute: Commentary

Private Education and Development: A Missed Connection? (Part III) | James Tooley | Cato Institute: Commentary: "For Sajitha it was clear: If many — or even a few — parents had higher aspirations for their children and wanted to send them to private schools, then 'they should not be allowed to do so, because this is unfair.'

It's unfair because it makes it even worse for those left behind. This puzzled me. Why should we treat the poor in this homogenous way? Would we — Sajitha and I — be happy if we were poor, living in those slums, and unable to do the best for our children, whatever our meager funds allowed?"

"The team observed that in the government schools, "generally, teaching activity has been reduced to a minimum, in terms of both time and effort."Importantly, "this pattern is not confined to a minority of irresponsible teachers — it has become a way of life in the profession." But they did not observe such problems in the private schools serving the poor."

"So what was the secret of success in these private schools for the poor? The report was very clear: "In a private school, the teachers are accountable to the manager (who can fire them), and, through him or her, to the parents (who can withdraw their children)."

'In a government school, the chain of accountability is much weaker, as teachers have a permanent job with salaries and promotions unrelated to performance. This contrast is perceived with crystal clarity by the vast majority of parents.'"

"Something as surprising as large numbers of the poor using private schools is surely worthy of comment in the conclusions, isn't it? Not a bit. The fact that the poor are helping themselves in this way was deemed unworthy of further mention in the introduction or conclusions. It was all a non-issue as far as the Oxfam Education Report was concerned."