Munk, Inger
(2007)
Essays in the economics of private education: Theory and evidence from England.
PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Abstract
This thesis investigates the relationship between the demand for private education and the distribution of income, state school quality, religion and political allegiance in England. Chapter 2 focuses on how the demand for private education, both secular and religious, is affected by the distribution of income. Theoretically and empirically, I find that private schools in general locate in areas with high income levels, high income inequality and low spending per pupil in state schools. However, religious (Muslim and Jewish) schools locate where the fraction of the relevant religious individuals is high and where the religious individuals are relatively poor. Chapter 3 studies the relationship between the demand for private education and local state school quality, and how this varies with household income and preferences for education. Consistent with theoretical predictions, I find robust empirical evidence of a non-linear relationship between the demand for private education and for local state school quality such that it is positive at lower income levels and negative at higher income levels. Finally, chapter 4 explores the relationship between religious and political allegiance and private schooling choices. I find that the relationship between religion and private education varies greatly across religious groups, and is strongest for non-mainstream denominations. The strength of the association between religious and political allegiance and private schooling depends significantly on the intensity of religious beliefs. However, the greater demand for private education among non-Christians does not appear to be driven primarily by religious motives but rather by stronger preferences for education. I also find that private school demand is significantly associated with respondents' political allegiance.
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