Learner Centred vs Profit Centred?

Over the past couple of decades one important debate taking place in higher education has been teacher-centred education versus learner-centred education. A prominent point of discussion at the recently completed Unesco World Conference on Higher Education is the rise of private schools in the sector, as outlined in this Chronicle of Higher Education article. Several news reports highlight that a report from Unesco, named A New Dynamic: Private Higher Education, states that private higher education now accounts for 30% of the enrolment in higher education worldwide and in some countries it makes up 3/4 of the options.

Private schools certainly have a place in higher education, but for the landscape to change so rapidly is cause for concern. One reason for this concern is that one unmet goal of this gathering - and from a similar conference in 1998 - is ensuring access to traditionally underrepresented groups of people. Achieving this goal will be a challenge in an environment where profit becomes an increasing focus.

Getting involved in the dialogue will maximize the chance that important issues, like equity & access, will be considered as higher education evolves. For Canadian student affairs professional one place we should put this topic on the agenda is at any CACUSS gatherings.