The wide gap between the educational outcomes of the rich and the poor in many countries like Africa have pushed governments to find ways to improve performance of educational systems. And today, a novel educational concept is gaining popularity with its innovative solutions.
Educational systems from all over the world are falling short from the responsibility of providing children from poor communities the quality of education they need to survive and thrive in life. Governments have acknowledge that this is a grave injustice and a major social dilemma, which threatens not only the future of these children but likewise jeopardizes the future of the entire community and nation as a whole.
Huffington Post writes about "Collaboration Schools," a novel yet bold initiative spearheaded by Premier Helen Zille and Education Minister Debbie Schafer offers a solution. The educational reform intends to draw experience of charter schools in the United States as well as the academy schools in the United Kingdom and tailors it to match the unique context of South Africa. Charter and academy schools are forms of public private partnership (PPP) which are state funded, run and regulated by government organization to cater to educational needs of disadvantaged communities.
The concept of Collaboration schools was launched in Western Cape Africa in January 2016. Five collaboration schools are paired with three non-profit school operating partners who are then held accountable by the government to raise student achievement at a very sustainable expense. The initiatives proud partners include the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
Governments intend to bank on vital lessons learned from more successful educational systems of the world. First is to never go lightly since PPPs and collaboration schools are some of the few ways the state can insource expertise and funds from the private sector while maintaining the government's crucial role as a regulator. The improvement of educational systems as the ultimate goal, we should all grow constantly and wisely to provide education to the future generation.
