February 2008
This_months_webpage.GIF (953 bytes)
National's student loan position a barrier to tertiary education quality
Merit-based pay backed by many Australian teachers
Government's claim that state education is free is 'fiction'
State schools should imitate private for better results, UK research shows
School choice snippets
Vouchers or longer at school – take your pick
NZ education news round-up
'Education and care' centres dominate early childhood sector
Quote of the month
$50,000 incentive to teach in remote Australian schools
Private online education firm plans major expansion in Australia
Merit-based pay for Australian teachers
Unis target 14 year olds to combat engineering skills shortage
New leader for Australian Council for Private Education and Training
Hanoi's new student loan scheme benefits 600,000
US report compares teacher performance pay schemes
Education bigger export earner than tourism in Australia
Low-cost for-profit schools in Sub-Saharan Africa
PPPs mean another 5,500 schools for Pakistan
PPPs play a 'major role' in India's higher education
 
 

Public-private partnership school schemes on the up in Australia

In Australia, Queensland is to build seven schools under public private partnerships, and Victoria is to greatly expand its PPP plans. The moves follow similar schemes in New South Wales and South Australia.

Queensland premier Anna Bligh has told parliament that the state government is to ask the private sector for expressions of interest in building and operating infrastructure for the seven schools.

The private sector would take responsibility for the construction and maintenance of the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane-outskirts schools over a 30-year contract, but the education services would still be provided by the government.

Ms Bligh said handing responsibility for these services to the private sector would allow teachers to focus on education.

Meanwhile, in Victoria, the state government is poised to greatly expand its plan for the private sector to own, build and operate schools, The Australian has reported.

The government, which has flagged using the private sector to build 11 schools, could extend the public-private partnership model to fixing many existing schools.

PPPs promoted in India and Pakistan

PPPs are also being promoted in India and Pakistan. Find out more here.

Resources

The Queensland announcement is at this web page.

The story on the Victoria plan is at this web page.

A story on the South Australia scheme is at this web page.

A story on the New South Wales scheme is at this web page.

A story on the earlier Victoria proposal is at this web page.

Public-private partnerships have a role to play in successful education facilities, says a 2006 OECD report. A Subtext story on the report is at this web page.

Education Forum policy advisor Norman LaRocque has written a report on the contracting out of education. The report is online at this web page.

Private sector innovation 'adds value' to education, says Stephen Selwood, the chief executive of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development. His comments can be read online at this web page.