The role and impact of public-private partnerships in education

The concept of a public-private partnership (PPP) recognises the existence of alternative options for providing education services besides public finance and public delivery. Although there are many forms of PPPs, this study examines PPPs in which the government guides policy and provides financing while the private sector delivers education services to students. In particular, governments contract out private providers to supply a specified service of a defined quantity and quality at an agreed price for a specific period of time. Building on previous work, the international literature, the results of recently completed and ongoing impact evaluations, and the World Development Report 2004 (World Bank 2003a) framework, this book presents a conceptualisation of the issues related to PPPs, a detailed review of studies with rigorous evaluations, and guidelines on how to create successful PPPs in education.

Excerpts from published introduction. Show less