Introduction
The approach to regulating private sector education is as unique as the countries in which the institutions are located. Governments are under considerable pressure as they endeavor to meet access to education targets at all levels, from basic to tertiary. Increasingly, governments are coming to recognize that they are unable to meet these demands without investment from private providers and thus are eager to ensure that providers and investors are of the highest possible quality.
Regulation of private education is an issue of critical importance for all stakeholders involved: government, providers, investors, parents, and students. How the government frames its regulatory policies will determine the ease, or difficulty, for private providers to enter the market. At their best, regulations can be welcome guidelines to enable quality providers to understand the requirements for working in a given jurisdiction. When regulations are transparent and appropriately applied, they can provide information for parents and students in enabling them to make rational decisions on education choice.
Contributing to the Debate
IFC’s Health and Education Department hosts an international conference every two years to examine recent development in private education globally. A pre-conference colloquium was organized in advance of the last event, held in May 2008. The colloquium’s theme was ‘The Evolving Regulatory Context for Private Education in Emerging Economies’ and was organized in conjunction with the World Bank’s Human Development Network’s Education and Africa Region teams.
Funding from the Norwegian Post Primary Education Fund enabled IFC and IBRD to commission a ‘Discussion Paper’ from two international consultants, John Fielden and Norman LaRocque. This paper provided a point of departure for the group’s discussions and a brief contextual analysis as well as setting out eight ‘Propositions’ for regulators to consider as they revise or renew regulatory frameworks. The Discussion Paper can be accessed here.
These two events provided a unique opportunity to capture the thoughts of some of the global leaders in private education. What follows is a series of interviews with individuals who bring a variety of perspectives on issues relating to the role of private sector provision and the development of regulatory frameworks. Some are providers of education active in different parts of the world; some are commentators or consultants; while others are government officials responsible for the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks. While the individuals’ perspectives on the important role that private education can play and regulation frameworks may differ, the essential message is consistent: sound, well-articulated regulations are required. These regulations should ideally be developed in conjunction with the private sector and there should be consistency and transparency in how they are enacted.
This is the first in a series of interviews with commentators on various aspects of private education. Future topics will explore the challenges facing private providers and set out key lessons from some of the most successful providers and global leaders in private education.
Setting the Context – the Role of the Private Sector in Education:
(Please click on Weblinks below to launch interviews. If you do not have the latest software to open the Weblinks, you can download it here.)
Norman LaRocque
Policy Advisor
Education Forum
Wellington, New Zealand
In setting regulatory frameworks, governments need to consider ways in which the private sector contributes to society.
Sam Akyianu
IFC Operations Officer
Ghana Schools Project
Accra, Ghana
Private education is meeting the needs of middle and lower socio-economic families in Africa.
Carl Bistany
President
Sabis Educational Services
Jounieh, Lebanon
Changing education opportunities and contributing to society is a driving motivator for private providers.
Moisés Naím
Editor-in-chief
Foreign Policy Magazine
Washington, D.C., USA
The private education sector needs to be innovative in order to meet society’s needs.
The Evolving Regulatory Context – Views from Commentators, Providers, and Regulators:
Mayunga Nkunya
Executive Secretary
Tanzania Commission for Universities
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Regulation should be enabling and coherent with national aspirations.
Jorge Klor de Alva
Senior Vice President
Apollo Group Inc.
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Regulatory development should be undertaken in partnership between governments and the private sector.
Mary Okelo
Executive Director
Makini Private School
Nairobi, Kenya
Barriers to entry need to be minimized in order to facilitate private sector growth.
Doug Becker
Chairman and CEO
Laureate Education
Baltimore, MD, USA
Regulators should set high standards and challenge providers to attain them.
Nuru Yakubu
Executive Secretary/CEO
National Board for Technical Education
Kaduna, Nigeria
Regulators need to be consistent and transparent in their policies and implementation.
Dan Levy
Director
Program for Research on Private Higher Education
Albany, NY, USA
Regulatory frameworks should be realistic and allow for differentiation of institutions.
Mohamed Anuar Zainun
Director, Governance Division
Private Higher Education
Ministry of Higher Education
Putrajaya, Malaysia
Government quality assurance should aim for common standards in both public and private institutions.
