Consumerism in education: A comparison between Canada and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Purpose

With the emergence of the knowledge economy different countries are responding with changes within their tertiary education systems. Education is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone to the continued growth of a country but with the globalization of business is education becoming a commodity?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines educational policies and their implementation within the UK and Canada.

Findings

This paper finds that education in the UK has become a commercial product within the international arena, unlike Canada where tertiary education has remained a domestic pursuit.

Originality/value

This paper engages in a controversy that questions whether the economic value to a nation of education is found only in the numbers of students or can be enlarged to include the results of the education for the students.

Citation

Freeman, I. and Thomas, M. (2005), "Consumerism in education: A comparison between Canada and the United Kingdom", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 153-177. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540510582444