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EDINVEST NEWS BULLETIN: NOVEMBER, 2008 Research and Publications A June 2008 World Bank Working Paper entitled “The Evolving Regulatory Context for Private Education in Emerging Economies” drawn upon international examples of regulatory policies for private providers and have set out a series of 'propositions for good practice' for national policy makers to consider as they address the 'evolving regulatory context'. Click here for more information. The International Bureau of Education (IBE) has just published its strategy for 2008-2013 The publication outlines how, within its field of competence as UNESCO’s centre of excellence for curriculum development, the IBE intends to fulfill its challenging task and contribute to UNESCO’s action in favor of quality Education for All during the period 2008–2013. Click here for more details. Martin R. West and Ludger Woessmann have recently published a paper entitled 'Every Catholic Child in a Catholic School': Historical Resistance to State Schooling, Contemporary Private Competition, and Student Achievement Across Countries. Their research shows that larger shares of privately operated schools lead to better student achievement in mathematics, science, and reading and to lower total education spending, even after controlling for current Catholic shares. See the CESinfo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research) Working Paper No. 2332 online at The International Finance Corporation (IFC) held its bi-annual education conference this May in Washington, DC. With the theme “Investing in the Future: Innovation in Private Education”, the two-day event brought together investors, specialists, financiers, and others to explore the future of private education and discuss key business opportunities. Presentations, papers and other related information can be found on the website: http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/che.nsf/Content/2008InternationalConference Education Funding and Tuition In America, thousands of students have decided to take one or more college classes over the Internet to combat the increase in gas prices. Seventy-nine percent of college students live off campus, and with gas rising, many are seeking to cut commuting costs by studying online. Colleges nationwide have reported online enrollment increases for summer sessions increasing 50 percent or 100 percent higher than in 2007 in some cases. However, distance education alone cannot solve the challenges posed for higher education by rising gasoline prices, officials warned, as many students, especially in rural areas, lack the high-speed Internet connections and most colleges still offer only a fraction of their courses over the Internet. See the July 11, 2008 story online. Canadian universities are receiving thousands of dollars less for each student than they did 20 years ago, a decrease that is hurting the quality of higher education and putting Canada at a competitive disadvantage. A report by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada finds that while the amount of money going to universities is increasing, rising student numbers and expenses associated with research mean that these dollars are being spread more thinly. In 2007, university funding from all levels of government was approximately $15,000 per student, compared with $21,000 in the early 1980s and $17,000 in the early 1990s, the study finds. By comparison, public universities and colleges in the United States have seen their funding levels rise in the past three decades to the point where they receive about $8,000 more per student than their Canadian peers. See the June 25th article online.
In England, private school costs have increased 43 percent since 2003, according to a study undertaken by Halifax Financial Services. Average annual fees now stand at £10,239 - up 6% on £9,627 a year ago, with costs being highest in the south-east. This increase has not stopped an increase in enrolment, which rose by 5.6% between 2001 and 2007. However, the study finds that private education is becoming unaffordable for parents in professions such as teaching, architecture, and law enforcement. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) said costs have risen to cover an increase in staff wages and pension contributions, higher utility bills and insurance costs. See the entire article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7503134.stm http://www.thanhniennews.com/education/?catid=4&newsid=41139 Legislation In Greece, controversial legislation tabled during the summer 2008 session of parliament seeks to legalize private colleges, providers of post-secondary education and training, allowing them to collaborate with any foreign higher education and research institution. The only compulsory provision is that they should be called colleges and one of the specifications is that their headquarters should be based in an EU member state. Strong opposition to the legislation has been voiced the left-wing parties and the president of the Federation of University Teachers and Researchers Associations. See the entire story online: American Republican Presidential candidate John McCain has announced that he will expand education opportunities, partly through vouchers for low-income children to attend private school. McCain expressed support for vouchers and other tools like merit pay for teachers. The Arizona senator declared that "No entrenched bureaucracy or union should deny parents that choice and children that opportunity." Both the merit pay and voucher proposals have met stiff opposition from teachers unions. Democratic Presidential candidate Barrack Obama has spoken in favor of performance-based merit pay for individual public school teachers, saying the idea should be considered if teachers help craft the system. See the full story online: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080716/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_naacp Australian lobby group Innovative Research Universities (IRU) warns against allowing increased competition from private providers, and demands protection for existing public sector institutions. IRU argues that further deregulation would "drive greater homogenisation" in higher education as all providers would focus on low cost courses in high consumer demand. They also oppose further deregulation of student fees. See the story online in The Australian News, August 6, 2008: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24138187-12332,00.html The Australian Government plans to redirect commonwealth funding for vocational training under a voucher-like system. Eligible students would be given entitlements to attend either public or private institutions. This change is expected to increase the number of private providers and force consolidation among government vocational education training institutions. See the entire story in The Australian News online at: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24151184-2702,00.html Apollo Global, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of Apollo Group, Inc. has purchased a majority stake in Universidad Latinoamericana S.C. (“ULA”), an accredited, private university based in Mexico City, from Carlyle Mexico Partners. ULA is renowned for its dentistry, medicine and communications programs accredited by the Ministry of Public Education. With four campuses throughout Mexico, ULA offers 27 degree programs and has more than 4,000 students. Apollo Global purchased a 65% stake in ULA based on an implied enterprise value of $47 million. Click here for more details. Laureate Education, Inc. announced that has acquired the Universidad Tecnológica de México (UNITEC), one of the largest private universities in Mexico, and the Universidad Latina and Universidad Americana (UAM) in Costa Rica. UNITEC has eight campuses throughout Mexico, including six in Mexico City, one in Guadalajara and one in Monterrey. The university has been operating for 40 years, and has enrolment of more than 36,000 students. For further details see: www.laureate-inc.com. Australian private providers had an equivalent full-time student load of 34,876 in 2007, according to new figures released by the federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The private sector has an estimated 10 per cent of the higher education market, according to Anthony Smith of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training. For more information see the August 6, 2008 article online: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24134193-12332,00.html http://www.sabanews.net/en/news161615.htm | SITE TOOLS   |
