Washington, D.C. — September 29, 2016 — Government officials, educators and parents in Ghana continue to weigh the role of privatized education in the country. And now, a new report from the UBS Optimus Foundation and Results for Development (R4D) is adding evidence to the debate.
One thousand households in Kasoa, Ghana were surveyed to discover how much they really spend on education and what the implications of these costs are at the household and governmental levels. The report documents numerous constraining – and often-hidden – extra-fees required for students in state and private schools alike, including school lunches, transportation to and from school, mandatory extra classes, textbooks and school supplies and extra tutoring. Extra fees were found to account for 93 percent of total costs for students in public schools and 74 of costs for students in private schools.
The survey provides insight into the choices made by parents regarding enrolling their children in private or public schools. Although families’ total education costs for private schools (1218GH¢) were more than public school costs (720GH¢), the survey finds that families perceive the quality of private schools as higher, and are therefore willing to pay more when able. Despite the higher costs, approximately 83 percent of families in Kasoa now have at least one student enrolled in a private school, a trend that many other communities are also seeing.
“Private education is playing a growing role in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana, where one-third of all primary schools are now private,” said Nicholas Burnett, a senior fellow at Results for Development and one of the report’s authors. “Many critics argue that the high costs of private schools put them out of reach for many low-income families and create a great burden for many others. But this report reveals that the question of school fees is far more complex. Regardless of where you stand in this debate, it’s clear that families deserve greater access and options, as well as the opportunity to make an informed choice.”
Many of those surveyed insisted that education is the only path to a better future. They believe that education will not only enable their children to get a valuable job and give them independence, but also enable them to gain the community’s respect and make informed life decisions. Uneducated parents also value education because it provides opportunities that were unavailable to them.
“Improving quality education provision for the world’s poorest, especially at the formative preschool and primary levels, is crucial if we are to improve children’s life chances and help lift the next generation out of poverty,” said Maya Ziswiler, program director for education and early childhood development at the UBS Optimus Foundation. “The UBS Optimus Foundation is committed to improving the understanding, delivery and quality of education, including exploring the much needed role that innovative private sector finance can play in improving the quality of education both in Ghana and around the world.”
Despite the positive perceptions expressed by families in the Kasoa survey, much remains unknown about the actual quality of private schools. The report therefore calls for increased evaluation of private schools, especially of learning outcomes.
In 2015, Ghana’s government spent approximately 6.7GH¢ billion on education, yet extra fees are still required from children attending publicly funded schools. Given the report’s findings, the authors posit that increased public-private partnerships may be helpful in ensuring all Ghanaian children receive the quality education that Ghana’s leaders have promised to provide.
The report’s findings are drawn from a household-based survey conducted in one thousand households, and a school-based survey of 30 government and private institutions. Study design and data collection were conducted in 2014 with the Ghana Center for Democratic Dialogue.
For additional details on the UBSOF-R4D publication’s findings, readers can view a summarized version of the report and view the report in its entirety.
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About UBS Optimus Foundation
Established in 1999, the UBS Optimus Foundation is an independent legal entity and a registered charity in Switzerland. They take a business-minded approach to philanthropy, recognizing that their clients want to use their wealth for good and to catalyze positive social change. By connecting them with outstanding entrepreneurs who share that vision, the UBS Optimus Foundation aims to help them achieve their philanthropic goals.
