ABSTRACT
Based on the degree and extent of privatisation of higher education systems in many countries of the world, the author offers a broad classification of higher education into four categories – extreme or total, strong, moderate and pseudo – and explodes a set of widely prevalent myths about private higher education, contrasting with facts. The myths examined include: superiority of private higher education over public education with respect to internal and external efficiency and quality; easing of financial burden of the state; ability to respond to individual, social and market needs; philanthropic nature of private higher education entrepreneurs; and other generally claimed positive effects of private higher education on income distribution and inequalities.
