Protesters gatecrash Pearson’s AGM over education privatisation concerns

John Fallon, Pearson’s chief executive, was forced to field difficult questions in front of shareholders over accusations the firm was neglecting public education in order to increase its profits, through the creation of low-fee private schools in deprived areas such as Africa and India.

Fallon defended the firm, saying: “Faced with that challenge and reality, we as a leading learning company have a responsibility to work with every part of society, government, local authorities, aid-agencies, charities, and, yes, local entrepreneurs and private companies as well – to give as many people as we can the chance of a better education and a better start in life.”

Campaigners predict that the firm is making millions by privatising education in the southern hemisphere. Accounts have shown how Pearson made a £100 million this year alone after its £500 million acquisition of Brazilian firm English Language Training. The campaigners also raised concerns regarding Pearson’s influence in fuelling ‘high stakes testing’, particularly in the US where parents have begun pulling their children out of taking the exams.

Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now, said: “Pearson’s profit-driven agenda of pushing private education in the global south is at odds with the universal right of education that all children have. There is significant evidence to show that private education, even when ‘low cost’, ultimately increases segregation and marginalisation in society because access and quality depend on ability to pay. It’s even more disturbing that Pearson is getting UK taxpayers’ money in the form of aid from DfID to subsidise them in this process.”

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “Pearson needs to end its involvement with fee-paying private schools in the global south; stop all practices that promote and support the obsession with high-stakes testing; and negotiate with teachers’ unions and others to secure agreement on the appropriate role of ‘edu-business’ in education. Education is a human and civil right and a public good, for the good of learners and society not private profit.”

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