A report to be
launched today by Education International (EI), the global
education union confederation, lifts the lid on the activities of
so-called ‘philanthropic’ organisations involved in promoting the
commercialisation, marketisation and privatisation of education
systems around the world.
The report examines the rationale and modus operandi of
philanthropic edu-business. The second part of the report focuses
on the global activities of UK registered Absolute Return for
Kids (Ark), an academy sponsor which runs 38 schools in
Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. It analyses Ark’s
roles and activities in education systems globally including
through the direct provision of education, curriculum
development, teacher training, enabling the development of
education markets, network building and advocacy, school
accountability and more.
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
“This important report makes clear that the commercialisation,
marketisation and privatisation of education is a global
ambition. Ark has been a leading proponent of privatisation in
and of education in England through its academy programme, maths
mastery curriculum and teacher training initiatives. This report
sheds important light on Ark’s involvement in edu-business on a
global scale.
“Education is a multi-billion-pound business opportunity for
those who seek to turn a profit. Privateers, hiding beneath
the cloak of philanthropy, are a serious threat to the EI’s goal
of achieving free quality public education for all across the
world.
“The NEU and its sister unions in EI understand the importance of
education for the public good and we will continue to work
together to defend the rights of all children to a high-quality
education, free at the point of use, and untarnished by corporate
greed.”
Editor’s Notes
(1) The
launch of Education International’s report Under the sheep skin:
philanthropy and the privatisation of the so-called ‘democratic
state’ will take place on Wednesday 20 March,
2.30pm, UCL Institute of Education, Room W2.05, 20 Bedford Way,
London WC1H 0AL.
(2) A
summary of the report is available here: https://issuu.com/educationinternational/docs/philanthropy_executivesummary?e=3689445/68427564
(3) EI’s own
press release is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zEtHcA4bTFW23m5cvBiHhmnDooRLrWLsQ50AV3n8Vlg/edit
(4) Present
at the launch of the research will be Mr Christian Addai-Poku,
President of Education International’s Africa Regional Committee;
Mr David Ofori Acheampong, General Secretary, Ghana National
Association of Teachers; and Mr Eric Kofi Agbe Carbonu,
President, National Association of Graduate Teachers, who will
speak of the role of Ark’s promotion of public private
partnerships in Ghana and across Africa.
