Blogs - August 2010

Sandy Speicher
Aug 23, 2010

A few weeks ago I met with an entrepreneur who started an Affordable Private School (APS) in Hyderabad, India. He had beautifully painted murals decorating his space, with images and English words – like giant flash cards demonstrating that, yes, learning happens here. The next school I visited had the same murals. It turns out that these entrepreneurs were friends. One originated the idea, the other quickly followed.

Sarayu Natarajan
Aug 16, 2010

It should be blindingly obvious – a market with millions of children, thousands of schools and the possibility of having tremendous impact. You’ve read elsewhere about how incredibly important external support beyond the school’s teachers and leader is for quality education! One of the ways of garnering support for quality education in schools is through opting for market solutions in the education space.

James Tooley
Aug 09, 2010

I think that one of the most stimulating developments in market- based/entrepreneurial solutions in affordable private education is the emergence of chains of low cost private schools. After I wrote the prize winning essay ‘Educating Amaretch’ back in 2006 pointing to the possibilities of chains of schools, I’ve been encouraging investors and entrepreneurs to get involved.

Usha Ganesh
Aug 02, 2010

The affordable private schools demonstrate an innovation in business model. The sector is now witnessing innovations in service delivery, where edu-preneurs are actively seeking and utilizing existing mechanisms and new ones to cater to the needs of low-income students who demand quality education.