Private Schools With Public Funding--A Perspective Of Macau Private Schools

Policy of private schools with public funding has been the key issue in the modernization of education in Macau, which is also considered as a heated research topic in the filed of international private education. A fierce debate has been raised among educators and policy makers surrounding two issues as follows: 1) Should the government provide public funds to private schools, and 2) How the government should be paying attention to in providing public funds to private schools? This study defines the policies of private Schools with public funding in Macau as research objectives, and try to explore the relevant theoretical foundations. Besides, the author points out the existing deficiencies of these policies, with the systematic analysis and assessment toward the historic evolution, pattern features and performances. With different practice and experience in the policies of private schools with public funding in Macau, the author discussed and analyzed issues needed to be paid attention to in policy planning in the hope of providing reference for education researchers and policy makers in this regard.Neo-liberal economic theory, welfare economic theory, concepts of equity and equality in education are the foundation theories of Private Schools with Public Funding. In the practice of policy, private schools have double-side characteristics of public benefit and selfish interest, which is the reason for pros and cons. In this dissertation, the significance of the policy studied is whether balance between public benefit and selfish interest could be and how to be achieved.The manifestations of policies of private schools with public funding vary in the international community. Policies in U.S., U.K., France, Australia and Netherland have been studied and the author points out the difference of proportion and status of private schools in different education system is related to policy makers' different awareness of the role of private schools. With the development of policies of private schools with public funding, some similarities appears in policies of different countries, such as increasing government funding on Recurrent Student Fee in private schools, diversified policies on various types of private schools as well as funding with conditions.With the unique historical background, the development of private schools in Macau has far-reaching implications for the policy making on private schools with public funding in the area, which is reflected in its highest proportion and the most significant role of private schools in education system than in any other countries or regions of the world. The private schools are responsible for providing 95% students in Macau with compulsory education, which play an important role in forming the model of Private Schools with Public Funding, enabling the realization of public welfare and educational equality in private schools, as constitutes the great contrast with paying more attention to the efficiency of education in private schools in other countries and regions.In the term of the policy model of providing public funds to private schools, Macau has adopted Free Education Grants to finance the private schools which provide free education to students, regarded as the manifestation of stressing the issue of public welfare in education. However, there still exist the deficiencies in the design of this model. Accordingly, this study will try to make an analysis toward them from two perspectives, including international comparison and operational mechanisms of these policies, specifically the standard of Free Education Grants, the criteria for the grants, the definition of cost in private schools, together with the difference in the level of resources among schools.Regarding the performances of the policies of private schools with public funding, the efficiency of private schools to some extent has been undermined as a result of overemphasis on the characteristics of being free and pursuing the value of public welfare in education. Staring from value orientation of policy making on private schools with public funding in Macau, this study try to make an analysis respectively of the influences of the public value, educational equality and efficiency of this policy . Due to the defects in the design of Free Education Grants model and unsound related policy, the policy in Macau has some potential problems in achieving educational equality and efficiency.Besides, the implementation of policy of private schools with public funding still has a great impact on the relationship between the Macau government and private schools. With the need of accountability of funds for public finances, it is imperative for the Macau government to strengthen the management and supervision, which is a big challenge to school autonomy of private schools. This study analyses the significance, ways and approaches of government accountability of private schools, points out that autonomy of private schools is relative and limited, and claims that only by reinforcing the development of education professional ability and improving related education laws and system can they construct the fundamental solution to ensure harmonious relationship between the government and schools.