Low cost private education in India : challenges and way forward

Abstract

The Low Cost Private School phenomenon has gained momentum and increased visibility in recent years as researchers have begun to map and record the existence of millions of private schools that cater to the education needs of the economically disadvantaged in developing countries. These schools are profit oriented market enterprises, charging fees in the range of US$ 2 to US$ 15 per month while competing with free-of-cost government schools. Yet, they continue to thrive and grow in numbers. This thesis explores the factors that have led to the existence of a market driven private sector solution in a segment widely dominated by government provision of services and tries to understand the rationale supporting their existence. The thesis also delves into the question of whether low cost private schools are genuinely serving the purpose they are expected to. And whether these poorly financed, ill equipped profit making enterprises are the rights means to educating millions of children. The thesis also discusses the perspectives, experiences and challenges of different players in the low cost private education ecosystem. It closes with an understanding of the need for private sector involvement in providing education to the lower income segment and suggestions for the way forward for regulators, policy makers and the industry.