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Friday, September 10, 2010

UK Spending watchdog warns over academies' finances


pupils  
The study said many academies were "performing impressively"
 
The rapid expansion of England's academies programme risks being poor value for money, the spending watchdog has warned.
With one in four existing academies needing extra financial help, the National Audit Office said much tighter monitoring was needed.

It also found poorer pupils did less well in academies than in regular state schools.
The government said academies performed well and that it was reducing risks.

The NAO said these state-funded, privately-run schools begun in disadvantaged areas by Labour had performed impressively in their efforts on improving attainment.

But since coming to power, the coalition government has encouraged schools rated outstanding by Ofsted to apply for academy status, saying they would be fast-tracked.

'Bailouts' 

Many have been tempted to express an interest by the promise of more money and greater freedoms.

Academies operate outside of local authority control, often with business-based sponsors, and have greater financial freedom than regular state schools, which are audited by their local council partners.

The NAO report found academies were not only spending significantly more per head of pupil, but that one in four were likely to require extra financial support.

And the agency that now monitors them, the Young People's Learning Agency, is expecting to pay £8.5m to bail 10 of them out of financial difficulties.

Meanwhile, one in 20 of open academies are forecasting deficits.
The NAO also pointed out that in 2007-8 and 2008-9, there were half as many senior academy staff on salaries of more than £80,000.

The department had already recovered £4.1m in overpayments from academies because of an over-estimation of pupil numbers.

The NAO said: "The expansion of the programme increases the scale of risks to value for money - particularly in the areas of financial stability, governance and management capacity.

"With greater numbers of academies opening in recent years, the department's capacity to administer and monitor the programme has been stretched particularly, as funding is administered on an individual basis."
It also found potential conflicts of interests over academy sponsors providing services to the school they sponsor.

A quarter of academies surveyed said their sponsor was providing paid services.
The study warned that academies' performance to date was not an "accurate predictor" of how the model would perform when generalised over a wider range of schools.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "Existing academies have been primarily about school improvement in deprived areas, while new academies will often be operating in very different educational and social settings."

Real power
  There was a need to re-state the aims of the new-style academies programme so that its performance could be measured against them.

The report also found that children from disadvantaged homes were doing slightly less well in academies than those in regular state schools.

The report suggested it was pupils from more advantaged backgrounds who were driving the fast-improving results at academies.

But Education Secretary Michael Gove said the report underlined the fact that academies programme was working well.

"We have already taken prompt action on the NAO recommendations, as we strive to strengthen the programme even further.

"The academies programme is helping children from all backgrounds to get a better education, that is why we are allowing more schools to become academies, and giving real power and autonomy back to schools and teachers."

Outstanding sponsorship 
  Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Margaret Hodge said: "Where schools are given more freedom, we need to know they are using it well.

"We will want to be assured that, as the programme is expanded, the controls to provide sound financial management and good governance are firmly in place.

"The department faces major challenges as it takes over from local government the responsibility for directly funding many more schools.

"We will want to know that it has the capacity to meet these challenges.
She added that it was is telling that some of the substantial sums of money originally promised by academy sponsors were yet to be collected.

Shadow education secretary Ed Balls said the new government's programme was a "complete distortion" of Labour's successful policy to turn around struggling schools.

"Michael Gove's rush to turn schools with more advantaged intakes and which are already thriving into academies, rather than under-performing schools in more deprived areas, is not only a perversion of a successful policy but risks becoming an expensive failure."

“Start Quote

Where schools are given more freedom, we need to know they are using it well”
End Quote Margaret Hodge Chair of public accounts committee
 
The NAO said: "The expansion of the programme increases the scale of risks to value for money - particularly in the areas of financial stability, governance and management capacity.
"With greater numbers of academies opening in recent years, the department's capacity to administer and monitor the programme has been stretched particularly, as funding is administered on an individual basis."
It also found potential conflicts of interests over academy sponsors providing services to the school they sponsor.

A quarter of academies surveyed said their sponsor was providing paid services.
The study warned that academies' performance to date was not an "accurate predictor" of how the model would perform when generalised over a wider range of schools.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "Existing academies have been primarily about school improvement in deprived areas, while new academies will often be operating in very different educational and social settings."

Real power There was a need to re-state the aims of the new-style academies programme so that its performance could be measured against them.

The report also found that children from disadvantaged homes were doing slightly less well in academies than those in regular state schools.

The report suggested it was pupils from more advantaged backgrounds who were driving the fast-improving results at academies.

But Education Secretary Michael Gove said the report underlined the fact that academies programme was working well.

"We have already taken prompt action on the NAO recommendations, as we strive to strengthen the programme even further.

"The academies programme is helping children from all backgrounds to get a better education, that is why we are allowing more schools to become academies, and giving real power and autonomy back to schools and teachers."

Outstanding sponsorship Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Margaret Hodge said: "Where schools are given more freedom, we need to know they are using it well.

"We will want to be assured that, as the programme is expanded, the controls to provide sound financial management and good governance are firmly in place.

"The department faces major challenges as it takes over from local government the responsibility for directly funding many more schools.

"We will want to know that it has the capacity to meet these challenges.
She added that it was is telling that some of the substantial sums of money originally promised by academy sponsors were yet to be collected.

Shadow education secretary Ed Balls said the new government's programme was a "complete distortion" of Labour's successful policy to turn around struggling schools.

"Michael Gove's rush to turn schools with more advantaged intakes and which are already thriving into academies, rather than under-performing schools in more deprived areas, is not only a perversion of a successful policy but risks becoming an expensive failure."

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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Outside the Box: To know China, see the world through its eyes

Speaking Chinese without an American accent

Commentary: To know China, see the world through its eyes 

By Andrew Leckey 

PHOENIX, Ariz. (MarketWatch) -- Will the heavy national debt load of the U.S. turn it into another Greece? Could the U.S. cope if it was surpassed by China as the world's largest economy? Is the U.S. increasingly becoming a protectionist country? 

Those sound like loaded questions, yet they're fair game for an American interviewed on Chinese television, as I have been more than a dozen times in the past couple of years. You are responding on Chinese soil, after all, where the U.S. is a subject of intense analysis and criticism -- just as China is in the U.S.


Investors are bulllish about Brazil elections

Both candidates in Brazil's presidential election in October are regarded as safe bets for investors, according to Joe Harper of Explorador Capital, who says the markets are expecting continuity in the change in leadership. Claudia Assis reports.

Topics such as the value of the yuan and trade relations ignite intense feelings because economic growth, investment potential and national pride are at stake. Such issues are more politically demanding than when a question is asked about something less China-U.S.-centric, such as Russia's economy or BP's management.

It seems strange to label as emerging a nation with so many centuries of dynasties behind it, but global economic power is relatively new in this nation where ancient structures coexist with skyscrapers. As China chooses its own course, developed nations are suspected of conspiring to hold it back, whether through organizations such as the G20 or the policies of individual nations.

Volatility of Chinese markets is sure to continue, impacting the world just as it is affected by other markets. China's hot economy and real estate market have likely come too far, too fast, and cycles are unavoidable.
Nonetheless, the transition of China from a low-cost assembler of exports to the West to a major consumer of products and services and a seller of products to the rising middle class throughout Asia is ahead.

This likely will depend less on developed markets and more on emerging economies that need consumer staples, information technology and automobiles. There will be dramatic growth, despite the ongoing ideological, trade, currency, political and environmental differences between China and the U.S.

What China wants

Whether it involves investing, business dealings or debate, dealing with China requires mutual respect:
• Many Chinese take personally the criticism of government policy. While we are often loudly critical of our government, they consider China one entity that includes them. Outsiders criticizing it are, in effect, disrespecting the Chinese people and heritage. Harmony is important. Stick to facts when discussing issues of conflict and make sure your points stand on their own merit, which is not a bad idea no matter what the country.

• They know more about us than we know about them. Our clothes and technology were made in China, but our information is limited to news reports. They see our movies, follow the NBA, dine at KFC and Starbucks, buy Buicks and display posters of American actors and athletes in stores. They celebrate Christmas big-time, though not the religious part. Yet that's hardly a clear picture of America or Americans.

• Negative quotes about China from U.S. politicians are taken seriously by the Chinese, much as U.S. sports coaches tack negative quotes from rivals on locker room bulletin boards. The fact that many in Congress intentionally make statements to appeal to constituents is not always evident to the Chinese.

• When significant issues are brought up, Chinese of all ages point out that we should realize they've come a long way in a short period of time, even if where they're headed isn't totally mapped out. Bridging the gap between wealthiest and poorest will be one of the biggest economic tasks.

• Young Chinese are under pressure from country and parents to succeed, far more than U.S. young people. Chinese parents who grew up under a different economic system tell children to study and work harder. The one-child rule put added pressure on the young to succeed. Shopping malls throughout China are crowded primarily with those under age 30, indication of the younger generation's financial empowerment.

• And yes, the Chinese generally do prefer to deal with people they've gotten to know well. This isn't such a rare concept in any country, but friendships definitely build bonds that turn to business and shared information in China. Drive-by meetings won't accomplish much, while repeat visits are valued.

Americans these days study China much as they studied Japan 20 years ago -- with fear and a sense of urgency that we are about to be overtaken economically. I leave you with one last non-economic question posed to me by the Chinese host on a special talk show honoring legendary television news anchor Walter Cronkite:

Why was there no journalist of Walter Cronkite's stature in the U.S. who was able to draw to an end the war in Iraq as Cronkite did in Vietnam?

Sounds like a loaded question. But for an American interviewed in China, turnabout is fair play. After all, I always have my own set of loaded questions to ask the Chinese.

Andrew Leckey is president of the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism in Phoenix, and has been a frequent guest on China Central Television (CCTV) interview programs in Beijing.

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IPTV - Astro TV conducting trials with Time dotCom; Mobile Telcos Price War?

Astro TV conducting IPTV trials with Time dotCom

By B.K. SIDHU
bksidhu@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: With Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) venturing into the broadcasting business with its IPTV (internet protocol TV) offering, Astro TV is not about to let any of its market share slip by without a fight.

It is learnt that Astro TV is conducting trials for its IPTV offering in Mont Kiara by riding on Time dotCom Bhd’s (TDC) fibre optic fast-speed network.

Astro TV needs an IPTV platform and if it were to wait till sister company Maxis Communications Bhd completes its network build-up, that may well give TM an edge in some places.

Hence, the trials with TDC which began at the end of July involving about 100 users.

Sources said this was a technical trial for the Astro b.yond to determine if the network was able to carry enough video content at fast speed. TDC is providing the GPON infrastructure for the trials.

A GPON access network not only enables telcos to build and support video services, but provides the ability to scale the network to deliver any bandwidth-hungry services such as HDTV (high definition TV) and VOD (video on demand), an IP-based broadband video service.

Astro needs a minimum of 15-20 megabits per second (Mbps) for content delivery and TDC’s network can provide up to 100Mbps. Sources said trial users were able to watch all of Astro’s programmes in HD and 3D quality.

The trials make TDC a potential contender for access to Astro besides Maxis. However, since TDC only focuses on multi-dwellings such as condominiums and apartments blocks, its reach may be limited. TDC finds it too costly to focus on fibre to the home as done by TM.

TM is bundling IPTV with its high-speed broadband service known as Unifi. But content will remain the differentiating factor in the IPTV business. For now, Astro has rights to loads of content but don’t underestimate TM as it is tying to link up with a lot of content providers to make its IPTV proposition appealing.

Maxis, on the other hand, is working overtime to get a fast-speed Internet network up. It has appointed Huawei as the exclusive supplier for the next generation network. Maxis said the job would also include the building and managing of a full-service Fibre To The X network using GPON technologies.

Maxis has also conducted trails for IPTV involving 50-odd users during the recent World Cup.
Whether Astro will need more than one player to deliver its IPTV content is unclear but Maxis certainly is building a fibre optic network in its quest to become a quad player and it will have to rely on content from Astro.

ASTRO :  [Stock Watch]  [News]
TM :  [Stock Watch]  [News]
TIMECOM : [Stock Watch] [News

Analysts don't expect lower prices for mobile phone services

By LEONG HUNG YEE
hungyee@thestar.com.my

Price war unlikely but telcos are expected to compete on device offerings, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: While cellular companies may have posted rosy profits during the latest reporting season, analysts say the second half will not be an easy period for them.

Analysts do not expect an all-out price war between telcos but they do see competition heating up on device offerings such as smartphones.

“Both DiGi.Com Bhd and Maxis Bhd will be offering Apple Inc’s iPhone 4 soon. Pricing details have yet to be revealed but consumers will always opt for the best bargain,” an analyst said, adding that the average revenue per user (ARPU) and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin for telcos would remain under pressure.

DiGi had earlier cautioned that its EBITDA margin for 2010 might be pressured due to higher level of handset subsidies.

“Both DiGi.Com Bhd and Maxis Bhd will be offering Apple Inc’s iPhone 4 soon. Pricing details have yet to be revealed but consumers will always opt for the best bargain,” an analyst said. Pic shows Apple iPhone 4 on display at the registration desk at the headquarters of KT in Seoul on Monday. Apple’s newest smartphone will be officially released to Korean consumers on Friday. — Reuters
 
AmResearch Sdn Bhd said that despite a recent reduction in interconnection fees to 5 sen from 8 sen previously, the competitive landscape between telcos remained status quo. “There is yet to be a full-fledged price war,” it said.

The research house said ARPU continued to decline on a blended basis and reckoned that ARPU was almost reaching saturation point.

Within the postpaid segment, AmResearch said ARPU increased 2% to 4% in all three companies in line with the growth recorded in usage minutes.

“Voice is taking a backseat to non-voice, parallel to other developed countries. This trend should persist to a saturated level, where voice usage would hit its floor – as observed in the fixed line segment – within the next two to three years,” it said.

AmResearch said all three mobile companies were recording significant growth in broadband usage, with Celcom Axiata Bhd leading with more than 50% market share followed by Maxis (35%) and DiGi (15%).

The research house said the telecommunications sector was still undervalued, with enterprise value to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EV/EBITDA) ranging between 5.42 times and 8.11 times. It said regional peers were valued at an EV/EBITDA of at least 9 times.

An analyst said the possible slowdown in the second half could lead to a cut in consumer spending.
However, the analyst said he was still confident about the industry’s outlook given the number of new mobile devices being introduced into the market.

He expects non-voice revenues from wireless broadband and data value-added services, including mobile Internet, messaging and content services, to drive growth for telcos moving forward.

The analyst said his top pick was Axiata Group Bhd as it “has a good regional story with presence in 10 countries and good-performing assets in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.”