This rigorous review looks at the evidence on the role and impact of private schools on the education of school-aged children in developing countries. The focus of the review is on private school delivery of education to poorer sections of societies, including private schools identified as low-fee private schools (LFPs). The evidence is mixed and large gaps remain.
The review adopted a comprehensive search strategy with transparent inclusion criteria which resulted in 59 eligible studies. The strength of the evidence was assessed and gaps are identified which highlight areas for further research. Literature included in this review has been published in the past five years, sourced from DFID priority countries, and includes only research judged to be of high or medium quality.
Key Findings:
- There is strong evidence that teaching is better in private schools than in state schools, in terms of higher levels of teacher presence and teaching activity as well as teaching approaches that are more likely to lead to improved learning outcomes.
- There is moderate evidence that private school pupils achieve better learning outcomes when compared with state schools. Many children may not be achieving basic competencies even in private schools.
- There is moderate evidence that girls are less likely than boys to be enrolled in private schools.
- There is moderate evidence about the cost-effectiveness of private schools and cost of education delivery is lower in private schools than state schools often due to lower salaries for private school teachers compared with their government school counterparts.
- There is moderate evidence that the perceived quality of private schools is a key factor in parents’ choice.
- There is moderate evidence that where state regulation of private schools exists it is not necessarily effective or may be selectively enforced offering opportunities for rent seeking and bribery.
- The evidence is ambiguous about whether private schools geographically reach the poor. Although private schools are continuing to focus on urban areas, they are also becoming increasingly prevalent in rural areas; but research cautions against assuming this means they are reaching the poor.
- There is a small but consistent evidence base that private schools are more expensive than state schools in terms of both school fees and hidden costs such as uniforms and books.
- The evidence on whether the poor are able to pay private school fees is ambiguous. Where children of poorer households do attend private schools, research indicates that welfare sacrifices are made and continued attendance is difficult to sustain.
- There is limited evidence to support any firm conclusion about the financial stability of private schools.
Recommendations:
There is the need for more targeted research to fill the gaps in our understanding of the role and impact of private schools in developing countries.
