Neoliberalism and privatisation

• Their approach


  • Shares the functionalist view that education must be meritocratic and must promote social integration
• The role of the state


  Leads to bureaucratic self-interest and low standards
• To overcome problems with the role of the state


  The education system should be marketised
• Types of marketisation


  • Internal market within the state education system
  • Privatisation of state education
• Internal market within the state education system


  1. Established by the 1988 education reform act

  2. Directed schools to act more like private business - competing for pupils

  3. Schools were still largely delivered by the state
• Privatisation of state education


  1. The state ceases to be the actual provider of educational services

  2. Private companies or voluntary organisations deliver education

  3. The state commissions educational services, puts them up for contract and decides which private bit gets the contract

  4. The state acts as a regulator, sets certain targets, and monitors performance to ensure that the private providers are meeting standards