Decentralization in education: national policies and practices

Experiences of decentralising education: national policies and practices

Published by: UNESCO Section for Support to National Educational Development (ED/EPS/NED) / UNESDOC: Online UNESCO documents , 2005
Via: Eldis

This booklet summarises the presentations and debates of participants in the International Seminar on Decentralization Policies and Strategies in Education, organised by UNESCO in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 30 June to 3 July 2003. Topics highlighted include:

• the decentralisation process calls for consensus building among all the stakeholders in civil society. Decentralisation should accordingly always be supported by the dissemination of information, consultation and explanatory action among the population
• decentralisation policies should be tools of social participation which foster individual development and the development of society rather than the exclusive claims and interests of the market model
• decentralisation policies also require national capacity building. Decision-makers at all levels should be trained for their new roles, functions and responsibilities
• decentralisation may make for an increased number of imprecise operations and bad practices at local level. The implementation of good monitoring structures and procedures and increased responsibility may reduce these effects.