Could for‐profit private education benefit the poor? Some a priori considerations arising from case study research in India

Bibliographic Data

ID11487647
AuthorsJames Tooley (0009-0003-1411-1836, Newcastle University, corresponding author)
Year2007
Volume22
Issue3
Pages321-342
Publication date2007-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Education Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-0939 • E-ISSN: 1464-5106
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02680930701278625
OpenAlexW2067920668
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited14

A low‐cost private education sector is acknowledged to be serving the poor in developing countries, including India. However, it is widely accepted that this sector cannot provide a route towards ‘education for all’. This conclusion is explored in the light of case study evidence from low‐income areas of Hyderabad, India. Private education may be beneficial to the poor–especially in terms of greater accountability to parents leading to higher levels of teacher commitment. Moreover, de facto, although not de jure,for‐profit education exists in low‐income areas, with levels of profit such as to attract entrepreneurs into the market, and hence may be beneficial to the poor by expanding their choices. Objections to a role for private, for‐profit education are explored. These include justifications for state education, including arguments for equity, externalities, the human right of education and the argument of history, none of which appear conclusive as objections

A priori and a posteriori · Classical economics · Economic growth · Economics · Epistemology · For profit · Higher education · Microeconomics · Political science · Positive economics · Private education · Profit (economics · Public economics · Sociology · Global Educational Reforms and Inequalities · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · School Choice and Performance

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