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Socially Responsible Operators & Non-State Education Provision

Wed, April 17, 8:00 to 9:30am, Hyatt Regency, Floor: Bay (Level 1), Bayview B

Proposal

Private education provision in Africa has grown rapidly over the past two decades, with approximately 1 in 5 pupils already enrolled in non-state schools and this figure set to grow to 1 in 4 by 2021. Against this backdrop, evidence on the impact of the non-state sector on global education goals is inconclusive, as studies that are often highly specific to particular geographies, operators and/or contract types are conflated to present conflicting findings.

The non-state sector in many countries is highly complex, yet there is little understanding of the different sets of actors that exist, and how particular operating principles and behaviours may interact positively or negatively with wider education goals. While not suggesting any particular operating model is compatible or incompatible with specific education policies, the presentation will argue for a greater focus on the behaviours of non-state operators to reduce the risks associated with private sector expansion. A framework will be proposed of common ‘socially responsible’ behaviours that demonstrate a commitment to global education objectives for providing a quality education to all children – these are (i) a social impact-focused mission, (ii) awareness and commitment to positive system impact, (iii) transparency, and an (iv) efficiency focus.

The presentation will provide examples of each of these behaviours and suggest that non-state school operators and actors looking to finance, support, or partner with the sector take a greater focus on operator behaviours to maximise the potential of the sector making a positive contribution to education goals.

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