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Privatization of education refers to the shift of some or all of the cost of education from the government to students and their families. Private education can take several forms. It can be in formal private education institutions, or it can be informal in the form of private tutoring. This entry provides an overview of the increasingly privatized educational systems in the Middle East as well as a discussion of the factors that have contributed to the rise of privatized education in the region. The entry concludes by addressing some major concerns with the privatization of education in the Middle East.

Overview

Although private education existed in most Middle Eastern countries in the past, until recently public education represented the norm in all countries but Lebanon. Since the turn of the 21st century, the education systems in the region have seen rapid growth in both the absolute size and the percentage of private educational institutions.

The movement toward privatization in the region is the result of both internal and external circumstances. The main challenge facing the region is the inability of public finances to meet the growing demand for education, which is a function of the population growth and the increased emphasis on education as an important social and economic asset. The population of Middle Eastern countries is younger than the global average: 38% of the population is under the age of 14. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the annual growth rate for the Arab countries was 2.1% for the period 2005 to 2010, in comparison to 1.2% for the world. Demand also has increased due to public policies that mandate basic education for all. Consequently, demand for education is increasing at a faster rate than governments can manage financially, even in wealthy oil-producing countries.

Simultaneously, the deterioration of public education, resulting from underfunding, poor management, and a lack of qualified teachers, has compelled parents to seek private providers for their children's education. Furthermore, the competition for job opportunities in domestic and international job markets requires highly qualified graduates who are sometimes available only through the private sector.

The Role of International Organizations

International organizations, such as the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), have played a vital role in promoting private education. The World Bank first recommended free market strategies in the 1980s as part of its economic adjustment programs for developing countries known as “structural adjustment programs” (SAP). SAP encouraged the implementation of free market policies, including privatization and the reduction of government control and ownership. In line with the World Bank directives, many of the Middle Eastern countries adopted privatization.

Many governments in the region find the privatization of education appealing because it provides more financial resources and thus releases governments from some of their fiscal obligations. Rich oil-producing countries also encourage private sector involvement in education because it offers more efficient and responsive educational programs to the fast-changing job market. Consequently, most Middle Eastern countries have adopted policies that limit growth in the number of students admitted to public educational institutions and have established or expanded the private sector. Privatization of education varies by country and by education level. For example, it is much more prevalent at the postsecondary level than at the preuniversity level.

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