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How the Business Model in School Systems Impacts Kids’ Learning, Health, and Mental Well-Being
The transformation of educational institutions into business-oriented entities has sparked debates on its impact on children’s overall development. While schools aim to provide quality education, the emphasis on the profit-driven model often shapes how learning, health, and mental well-being are approached. This article explores how the business model in education affects children in these critical areas.
The Shift of Education Towards Business Models
In recent years, educational institutions have increasingly adopted business practices to optimize operations and meet performance metrics. This includes focusing on satisfying demand, expanding course offerings, and ensuring financial profitability. Although such practices have proven successful for educational organizations, the shift from purely academic to business-minded objectives often leads to unintended consequences for students.
For example, Educational Institutions now often measure success by enrollment figures and revenue, leading to an overemphasis on growth at the expense of deep academic engagement.
Business Models in Education: Impact on Children’s Learning
The Business model often places pressure on schools to increase course offerings and focus on “marketable” subjects, which can dilute the quality of education.
A. Standardised Testing and Curriculum Narrowing: To maximize enrollment and meet short-term performance metrics, schools may prioritize subjects that lead to high-test scores or offer more “practical” courses. This can undermine creative subjects like art, music and physical education, which are essential for well-rounded development.
For example, Schools focusing on standardized testing may reduce time spent on subjects like creative writing or history to allocate more resources to subjects like math and science, affecting students’ critical thinking and creativity.
B. Limited Personalisation: With larger class sizes and a “one-size-fits-all” approach to teaching, students may not receive the individualized attention they need to thrive academically.
For example, A student struggling with a particular concept may fall behind as teachers focus on maintaining overall class performance metrics rather than addressing individual learning needs.
Business Models in Education: Impact On Children’s Health:
The Business model in schools often emphasises efficiency, but this can lead to neglect of essential health factors, such as mental health support and physical well-being.
1. Increased Academic Pressure: With the focus on grades and measurable results, students often face significant academic pressure. This can lead to increased stress, burnout, and physical health issues like sleep deprivation and poor nutrition.
Example: In some schools, long hours of homework and test preparation lead to students sacrificing sleep and physical activities, which in turn affects their immune system and overall health.
2. Reduced Focus on Physical Education: To maximize financial resources, schools may reduce time for physical education or extracurricular activities, which are essential for physical health and the development of social skills.
Example: Some schools have cut gym classes to free up spaces for more “profitable” courses or to save cost, reducing the opportunities for students to stay physically active.
Business Models in Education: Impact on Children’s Mental Well-being:
Mental Wellbeing is often overlooked in the business-driven education model where the focus is on competition, results, and efficiency.
A. Stress and Anxiety: The competitive nature of performance-driven schools, where test scores often dictate success, can lead to increased stress, anxiety and even depression in children.
Example: Students who struggle to meet academic benchmarks may feel inadequate or develop a fear of failure, leading to long-term mental health issues.
B. Lack of Support Services: Schools that prioritise profitability may cut funding for mental health services, reducing access to counselors or support programs that address student’s emotional needs.
For example, A student facing bullying or family issues may not have access to necessary psychological support if the school’s budget is stretched thin due to business priorities.
Striking the right balance between Profit and Student Welfare:
To create a more sustainable business model, schools must balance financial goals with student well being. Incorporating health-focused initiatives, promoting personalised learning, and offering mental health support can lead to a more holistic approach. Some progressive schools are integrating mindfulness and wellness programs into the curriculum to support both academic success and emotional health.
While the business model in education can drive growth and improve efficiency, it is crucial that schools prioritize the holistic development of students. A balance must be struck between profit-making and fostering an environment conducive to learning, health and mental well-being. Only through such a balanced approach can educational institutions ensure long-term success for both students and the system itself.
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Reference:
1. https://www.marketing91.com/business-model-of-education/
Further Reading:
Molnar, A., & Boninger, F. (2015). Sold out: How marketing in school threatens children’s well-being and undermines their education. Rowman & Littlefield.
World Health Organization. (2003). Creating an environment for emotional and social well-being: an important responsibility of a health promoting and child-friendly school. World Health Organization.
Roffey, S. (2015). Becoming an agent of change for school and student well-being. Educational & Child Psychology, 32(1), 21-30.