Marketisation in Education

The Principles of Marketisation in Education

Marketisation in education refers to the application of free-market principles within the educational sector, a policy direction influenced by the New Right ideology in the United Kingdom during the late 20th century. The Conservative government, particularly under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, initiated reforms that encouraged competition among schools and aimed to reduce state control. This market-driven approach has led to schools behaving more like businesses, striving to attract students and secure funding, and has been a significant factor in shaping the educational landscape in the UK.

Standardisation through the National Curriculum

The National Curriculum, introduced in 1988, was a key element of the marketisation strategy, designed to provide a unified framework for education across England and Wales. It established compulsory subjects and standardized assessment, thereby reducing the curricular autonomy of individual teachers and schools. The curriculum has been periodically reviewed and updated to reflect changing educational priorities, such as the emphasis on STEM subjects and the inclusion of digital literacy.

Enhancing Accountability with League Tables and Ofsted

The introduction of school league tables in 1992 and the establishment of the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) were measures taken to increase school accountability and transparency. League tables rank schools based on student performance in standardized exams, while Ofsted inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people, as well as services providing education and skills. These tools are intended to guide parental choice and stimulate competition among schools to improve standards.

Privatisation Trends and the Rise of Parentocracy

Marketisation has also been associated with privatisation trends in education, where services traditionally provided by the state are increasingly influenced by private entities. This shift has contributed to the emergence of 'parentocracy', a term that suggests parental choice is paramount in determining a child's educational journey. Privatisation manifests in various forms, including the outsourcing of school services to private companies and the introduction of performance-related pay for teachers.

New Labour's Adoption and Adaptation of Marketisation

The New Labour government, under Prime Minister Tony Blair, maintained the trajectory of marketisation while introducing its own reforms. This included the creation of city academies and the diversification of school types, such as specialist and faith schools. New Labour also implemented tuition fees for university education, reinforcing the marketisation ethos by increasing the role of private funding in higher education.

The Coalition Government's Further Marketisation Measures

The Coalition government, a partnership between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats from 2010 to 2015, continued to expand marketisation in education. They accelerated the conversion of state schools to academies, which are publicly funded but independently run, and introduced free schools. The pupil premium policy was also introduced to allocate additional resources to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Furthermore, the government increased the cap on university tuition fees to £9,000 per year, a move that sparked widespread debate about the cost of higher education.

Evaluating the Effects of Marketisation in Education

The marketisation of education has had a significant impact on the UK's educational system, with proponents highlighting the benefits of increased choice, private sector involvement, and potential improvements in school performance. However, the policy has faced criticism for perpetuating social inequalities, as those with greater resources and information can navigate the system more effectively. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the narrowing of educational focus due to an overemphasis on standardized testing, potential deregulation of the teaching profession, and the variable success of UK students in international assessments. Despite these debates, marketisation continues to be a prominent feature of the educational policy landscape.