Contracting out of education delivery

Contracting out of education delivery

A report examining governments contracting for the delivery of education services finds a wide range of models have been implemented around the world.

Contracting for the Delivery of Education Services: A Typology and International Examples, by Education Forum policy advisor Norman LaRocque, looks at several forms of contracting across a range of countries.

Mr LaRocque said educational services contracting can have many benefits, including raising the efficiency of service delivery and spending, allowing governments to access specialised skills and overcoming salary constraints and public service staffing and regulatory restrictions.

"In recent years, there has been discussion in New Zealand of various forms of contracting, including allowing high-performing schools to operate poorly performing ones. This report shows that such proposals are not only feasible, but are already being implemented around the world. They merit further consideration here.

"If New Zealand is to use its education resources to the best advantage and get the best possible results for students, we would be remiss to ignore the possibilities that contracting can offer as another tool in a well-stocked education policy toolkit."

The report looks at a number of forms of contracting, including the private management of public schools, educational infrastructure public-private partnerships, government contracting with the private sector for education delivery and administration and curriculum support.

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