Theoretical Analysis

The theoretical analysis of privatisation is important in order to understand why certain policies work. However, the effectiveness of policy in the real world is required to verify the validity of the theoretical framework. To this end, an analysis of the efficacy of private schools in other third world environments is required. A study published through Harvard’s Evidence for Policy Design found astonishing results from low cost private schools in Pakistan (the circumstances of the schools being very similar to many South African contexts, i.e. in poverty with underperforming public schools) (Andrabi et al., 2010:1). The test scores of students, conducted to ensure no cheating, were 0.8 to 1 standard deviations higher in low cost private schools than in their public counterparts (Andrabi et al., 2010:1). These improvements extended beyond test scores including an improvement in civic skills. Children were better informed about Pakistan, more “pro-democratic” and exhibited lower gender bias (Andrabi et al., 2010:1). This dispels the notion that there are important subsidiary, non-education, skills that only a public school system is able to provide. The starkest improvement was the cost of education. Private schools spent 40% less per child than public schools, excluding administrative costs (Andrabi et al., …show more content…
South Africa’s failing education system would be much improved by the stimulation of private schools. However, the way forward is complex; there are many impediments to the flourishing of private schools: teachers unions, high regulation and access to financing. Fortunately, all of these factors are surmountable. Thus, by the analysis of this essay it is evident that creating a conducive environment to low cost private schools would dramatically improve educational achievement, and is an absolute necessity for the flourishing of South