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 Slide 1 Mekong Institute & UNESCO Regional Office-Bangkok 23 February – 6 March 2009; Khon Kaen, Thailand Prepared by the Education Policy and Reform Unit UNESCO 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 Slide 2

Megatrends in Education Slide 3

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. Slide 4

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. Slide 5

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. Slide 6

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. Slide 7

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 ) Slide 8

Policy Choices Slide 9

Policies Choices Decentralisation 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. Slide 10

Definitions of Terms Deconcentration: 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. Slide 11

Definitions of Terms Delegation: 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). Slide 12

Why Decentralise? Slide 13

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 Slide 14

Why Decentralise? Financial: can help mobilise local resources Accountability: permits closer monitoring of school performance by community School effectiveness: increase the commitment of school personnel and community support for school Slide 15

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 budget Payment of incentives to teachers Management of school level budget (repairs, supplies, student scholarships, etc.) Slide 16

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; Slide 17

What is decentralised? Finance: decentralization of decisions related to the allocation of money Personnel powers Hiring and firing of school principals Hiring and firing of teachers School strategy and pedagogy School development plans/performance reports School calendar Curriculum design Textbook selection Slide 18

Final Remarks The objectives of Decentralization based on an examination of a list of reforms: Improve education per se directly Improve the operation of the education system Change the sources and amount of funds available to education Benefit the central government primarily Benefit the local government primarily This training is about modern reforms in education sector management Slide 19

Education Sector Reform Means: Understanding education system and its functioning Developing policies, programmes, plans Implementing reforms Requires Situational Analysis, needs assessment, etc. etc. Developing Plans, Budgets, and Resource Allocations Monitoring and Evaluation Slide 20

Thank You Slide 21