Ei-iE

After many years of public sector underfunding, the private tech sector has made inroads into virtually all public services. With the self-proclaimed aim to enhance the quality of public services, at a reduced cost and with greater efficiency, especially two sectors are rapidly expanding: Education Technology and Health Technology.

Digital technological innovations have the potential to improve higher education and bring benefits to students, academics, and university administrators. They also bring new monetisation opportunities. Indeed, the education technology market is worth $187bn with 15% growth rate as estimated by IBIS Capital [1]. Investment in education technology is unprecedented, including...

A new study published by Education International reveals the mechanisms that favour the privatisation of education in the Dominican Republic, exploring its impact on the education system and the right to quality education.

The Fédération des syndicats de l'Éducation nationale (FESEN) has urged Togolese education ministers to tackle the issue of insecurity affecting teachers in the private sector so that “their ordeal can come to an end.”

GEMS Metropole School threatened parents with withholding students’ report cards and transfer slips unless school fees were paid. Education International and the Global Campaign for education call on the United Arab Emirates to not tolerate extortionary manoeuvres against children in private schools.

In a significant development in Morocco, education unions have succeeded in stopping government support for private schools during the COVID-19 public health crisis. They went one step further and were able, through strategic alliances with members of the national parliament, to prosecute those who have fraudulently exploited the crisis.

Education International welcomes major reform commitment from the World Bank’s private sector arm, the International Financial Corporation (IFC), to freeze any investments in private for-profit K-12 schools.

The Pathways to Education and Work research group from the University of Toronto has published its report entitled “Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Cote d’Ivoire”. The study assesses, negatively, the results of privatization of education on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), calls for more public participation,...

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has stated its determination to prevent exploitation of the poor by marketers in education.

Union leaders have gathered in Costa Rica to discuss how to take the global response against the privatisation of education to the next level.

A new study reveals the mechanisms by which privatisation of education is spreading in Honduras as a result of the passivity of authorities, creating barriers to accessing education.

A new study shines light on the shadows behind a philanthropic organisation’s plans to promote private education in Ghana.

Education International’s Member Organisations in Morocco have declared their intention to intensify their united struggle against privatisation to ensure free public education for all.

In a welcomed decision, on 13 November, the European Parliament resolved that “the European Union and the Member States, in accordance with SDG 4.1 and Article 26 of the UDHR, must not use ODA [overseas development assistance] to support private, commercial educational establishments.”

The Executive Board of Education International has issued a statement condemning the crimes perpetrated against girls in a private school in Liberia operated by the charity More Than Me.

While it is a matter for rejoicing that education has become a major subject of the debates during the current electoral campaign in Cambodia, education trade unionists have particularly underlined the financial shortcomings of the national school systems, which the public authorities have to remedy.

Organised as part of Education International’s Global Response against the commercialisation and privatisation in and of Education, the Convention on Privatisation of Education and Right to Education in Nepal helped further raise awareness and disseminate international research on education privatisation in the country.