Training Course on “Training of Trainers from the Greater Mekong Sub-

Region on Decentralized Education Planning in the Context of Public Sector Management Reform”

Trends in Public Sector Management, Relevant to Education

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Mekong Institute & UNESCO Regional Office-Bangkok

23 February – 6 March 2009; Khon Kaen, Thailand

Prepared by the Education Policy and Reform UnitUNESCO Bangkok

February 2009

Module E1

OBJECTIVES To offer an overview of global trends

in education To offer a definition of policy choices

and decentralisation To offer an overview of arguments

on what is decentralised, and why

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Megatrends in Education

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1. There will be a powerful but sharply focused role for central authorities, especially in respect to formulating goals, setting priorities, and building frameworks for accountability.

2. National and global considerations will become increasingly important, especially in respect to curriculum and an education system that is responsive to national needs within a global economy.

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3. Within centrally determined frameworks, government [public] schools will become largely self-managing, and distinctions between government and non-government [private] schools will narrow.

4. There will be unparalleled concern for the provision of a quality education for each individual.

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5. There will be a dispersion of the educative function, with telecommunications and computer technology ensuring that much learning that currently occurs in schools or in institutions of higher education will occur at home and in the workplace.

6. The basics of education will be expanded to include problem-solving, creativity and a capacity for life-long learning and re-learning.

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7. There will be an expanded role for the arts and spirituality, defined broadly in each instance; there will be a high level of ‘connectedness' in the curriculum.

8. Women will claim their place among the ranks of leaders in education, including those at the most senior levels.

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9. The parent and community role in education will be claimed or reclaimed.

10. There will be unparalleled concern for service by those who are required or have the opportunity to support the work of schools.

(Caldwell and Spinks, 1992, pp. 7 - 8)

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Policy Choices

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Policies ChoicesDecentralisation is one of the most

important phenomena to come to the educational planning agenda in the last two decades.

Why should a country decentralise its education decision-making process and which decisions should be decentralised are two questions that many decision-makers raise.

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Definitions of TermsDeconcentration: is the handling over of some

amount of administrative authority or responsibility to lower levels within central government ministries and agencies, that is, a shifting of the workloads from centrally located officials to staff or offices outside of the national capital, or center.

Devolution is the creation or strengthening; financially or legally, of sub-national units of government, the activities of which are substantially outside the direct control of the central government.

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Definitions of TermsDelegation: transfers managerial

responsibility for specifically defined functions to organizations that are outside the regular bureaucratic structure. Decentralization is the “transfer of responsibility for planning, management, resource raising and allocation from central government and its agencies to: field units of central government ministries (education authority level) or agencies (school level), . . . or (even) non-governmental private voluntary organizations” (Rondinelli, 1981).

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Why Decentralise?

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Why Decentralise?Economic: local actors have the

strongest incentives and best information with which to make decisions

Professional: teachers-principals have most expertise with which to make decisions

Political: to promote democratic participation and political stability

Administrative efficiency: school can best match resources to students’ needs

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Why Decentralise?Financial: can help mobilise local

resourcesAccountability: permits closer monitoring

of school performance by communitySchool effectiveness: increase the

commitment of school personnel and community support for school

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What is decentralised? Knowledge: decentralization of decisions

related to curriculum, including decisions related to the goals or ends of schooling;

Technology: decentralization of decisions related to the means of learning and teaching;

Power: decentralization of authority to make decisions;

School budgetPayment of incentives to teachersManagement of school level budget

(repairs, supplies, student scholarships, etc.)

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What is decentralised? Material: decentralization of decision

related to the use of facilities, supplies and equipment;

People: decentralization of decisions related to human resources, including professional development in matters related to learning and teaching, and support of learning and teaching;

Time: decentralization of decisions related to the allocation of time;

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What is decentralised? Finance: decentralization of decisions

related to the allocation of moneyPersonnel powers

Hiring and firing of school principalsHiring and firing of teachers

School strategy and pedagogySchool development plans/performance

reportsSchool calendarCurriculum designTextbook selection

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Final RemarksThe objectives of Decentralization based on an

examination of a list of reforms:Improve education per se directlyImprove the operation of the education systemChange the sources and amount of funds

available to educationBenefit the central government primarilyBenefit the local government primarily

This training is about modern reforms in education sector management

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Education Sector ReformMeans:Understanding education system and its functioningDeveloping policies, programmes, plansImplementing reforms

RequiresSituational Analysis, needs assessment, etc. etc.Developing Plans, Budgets, and Resource AllocationsMonitoring and Evaluation

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Thank You

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