Each year, the UK’s Department for International Development is spending millions promoting education privatisation in developing countries.
In a world where 262 million children are out of education, we need urgent action. But the private model is not the solution. Instead, it’s deepening inequality and creating schools that are run in the interests of profit first, pupils second.
The UK government is supporting the roll-out of ‘low fee’ private schools in countries including Pakistan, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria – schools which, despite their name, often exclude marginalised students.
The UK is also supporting public-private partnerships and new financing schemes that will further entrench the private sector in public provision.