Results improve 44% faster using private partners

Secondary education results improve 44% faster using private funding partnership - KPMG report shows

A report released in New Zealand today by KPMG shows that schools using private funding partnerships have a 44 percent faster improvement in educational attainment and show less absenteeism than their conventionally funded counterparts, from research conducted in the UK.

There are strong possible implications for New Zealand’s education system from the UK Private Finance initiative (PFI) and the research conducted by KPMG.

Troy Newton, Advisory Partner at KPMG says:

"For New Zealand, this research suggests that leveraging private sector investment and skills should be one funding option given greater consideration when we are contemplating replacing ageing schools infrastructure. We are keen that this subject should be debated further in the public and private sectors.

“With one of the toughest budgets coming up in decades and increasing pressure on Government revenue, we believe this type of partnership model should be actively considered by the New Zealand Government when considering funding sources for education infrastructure.

"The main findings are that in English schools rebuilt using PFI educational attainment improves 44 percent faster when measured against schools rebuilt conventionally. In English schools rebuilt using PFI, unauthorized absence is reducing, whilst unauthorized absence is increasing in conventionally rebuilt schools.

"PFI is a form of Public Private Partnership (PPP) used in the United Kingdom. Under the model, the private sector finances, constructs and maintains serviced education accommodation for a finite period (typically 25-30 years). Teaching services, curriculum and staff remain the preserve of the government. This report is the second edition of an annual report that aims to provide robust empirical data with which to compare the performance of schools rebuilt using private finance against the performance of schools rebuilt conventionally.”

Note: this research was conducted in the UK

Full report attached
PFi__in_SChool_building__does_it_influence_educational_outcome_19_May_2009.pdf

ENDS

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