The Financial Times covers a new report from the CBI, which argues that the private sector has proved itself to be a powerful stimulus for raising standards in schools:
"The government forced nine underperforming local authorities to outsource the management of their schools five years ago. The CBI says their success in raising standards proves the value the private sector can bring.
"For example Islington, run by Cambridge Education, has the most improved performance in the country, with the percentage of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs or equivalent at A*-C grade rising from 27 per cent in 2000 to 47 per cent in 2006."
This shows that even small privatisations are able to improve performance. Imagine how genuine empowerment for poorer parents to choose a better school for their children would revolutionise education in Britain...