Low-fee Private Schooling and Poverty in Developing Countries

Joanna Härmä's book explores the failure of government and private schools to serve the poor in developing countries, combining primary research with global examples. She advocates for a pragmatic approach and greater acceptance of challenges to achieve successful educational development.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In her groundbreaking work, "Low-Fee Private Schooling and Poverty in Developing Countries," Joanna Härmä delves into a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by the poor in accessing quality education in sub-Saharan African countries and India. Through extensive primary research conducted in these regions, Härmä sheds light on the systemic failures of both government and private schools to adequately serve the needs of the marginalized. By combining her research data with additional examples from around the world, Härmä provides a broad and insightful perspective on the issue of marketized education, low-fee private schooling, and government systems.

Härmä's pragmatic approach to a contentious issue and ideologically driven debate sets her work apart. She challenges the prevailing narratives and advocates for a more constructive and nuanced approach to educational development. Härmä argues that governments must take a more proactive stance in addressing the challenges faced by the poor. Rather than adhering to ideological positions or pursuing ambitious goals, she suggests that it is essential to acknowledge the realities and complexities of the educational landscape. By abandoning grandiose ambitions and focusing on laying stronger foundations for educational development, Härmä believes that countries can create more sustainable and effective systems that empower the poor and promote inclusive growth.

Throughout her work, Härmä employs a combination of empirical evidence, theoretical insights, and personal anecdotes to support her arguments. She highlights the experiences of students, parents, and educators, providing a humanistic perspective on the challenges and opportunities associated with marketized education and low-fee private schooling. Härmä's analysis is grounded in a deep understanding of the social, economic, and political factors that contribute to poverty and educational inequality. She advocates for policies that prioritize the needs of the poor, including increased investment in public education, improved teacher training and support, and greater access to educational resources.

In conclusion, "Low-Fee Private Schooling and Poverty in Developing Countries" is a seminal work that offers a powerful critique of the current educational landscape. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Härmä provides a roadmap for policymakers, educators, and activists to address the systemic failures of government and private schools and work towards a more equitable and inclusive education system. Her pragmatic approach and call for a scaling back of ambition offer a valuable alternative to the ideological debates that often hinder progress. By prioritizing the needs of the poor and adopting a more constructive and nuanced approach, Härmä believes that we can create a brighter future for all and build a more prosperous and sustainable world.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350088245