Exploring New Dimensions in Public-Private Partnership in Education

Abstract

The study conceptualized Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in education and reviewed current research in this area to identify and analyse PPP programmes in global perspective. The review of literature provided experiences and lessons learnt from different programmes. Objectives of the study were to clarify the concept and current status of PPP in education and analyse the existing initiatives of Public-Private Partnerships in education, before exploring new dimensions and models of PPP that could be integrated into the mainstream education system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The study was carried out in five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Population of the study consisted of 240 teachers associated with PPC programme, 240 experts on PPP subject, 120 government boys’ secondary school principals/heads and 120 principals/heads of PPC institutions. The study chose stratified random sampling technique. The sample was divided into four groups: principals/heads boys’ secondary schools, principals/heads of PPC institutions, PPC teachers and experts on PPP subject. The primary source of data collection was a uniform opinionnaire for all the respondents. The secondary sources of data included study of office documents, dissertations, internet and library sources and literature review. The analysis of data was given both quantitative and qualitative treatment. The results were validated with the help of statistical measures. The current PPP initiatives in Pakistan were reviewed. The study found a wide range of PPP in education provision the world over, each with different characteristics, design features and country context. It was discovered that there is a dire need for introducing PPP in education. The study made three dimensional recommendations: firstly, recommendations for improving and reforming the PPP initiatives; secondly, recommendations regarding new dimensions in PPP; and thirdly, suggestions for integrating them in the mainstream education system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Keywords: Dimensions, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Education Provision, Public-Private Collaboration Programme