Decentralisation of education

Jun 10

Decentralisation in education is a paradigm shift from traditional and conservative centralized or vertical systems to more local decision-making and governance.

It involves the transfer of powers, functions, and decision-making authority to different levels, such as schools, districts, or local communities.

Decentralisation gives greater autonomy and independence to schools and local communities, allowing them to make decisions based on their specific needs and requirements, shaping their own educational development agendas.

From this perspective, it is worth recalling the monograph “Democracy in America” by the famous French sociologist, diplomat, political scientist, and historian Alexis de Tocqueville, where in Chapter 4 (Tocqueville on Civil Life), speaking about free nations in the context of decentralization, he notes:

"Local assemblies of the people (community councils) constitute the strength of free nations. Municipal institutions (local self-government bodies) are as important to freedom as elementary schools are to science. A nation can have a free government, but without municipal institutions (local self-government bodies) it cannot have a spirit of freedom.”

Decentralisation in education is a philosophical shift that allows stakeholders in that life and environment to adapt the curriculum, teaching methodology, and resource allocation to their specific needs.

Educational decentralisation encourages accountability at several levels. Schools and educators take responsibility for their own activities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

At the same time, local communities and parents actively monitor and evaluate the results of the educational process.

The latter aims to increase the direct involvement and participation of the community in the organization and management of the educational process.

Imagine that when decision-making power is decentralized, parents, teachers, and representatives of local self-government bodies (local communities) can contribute to the development of educational policies, programs, and work organization, and the development of educational initiatives.

For example, In the same work, Tocqueville emphasizes the role of civic activism in local decision-making, particularly noting that he was impressed by the level of civic engagement he saw among Americans.

In his monograph Democracy in America, Tocqueville frequently records his respect for the political activism of the average American citizen. Tocqueville understood that America is designed to function best when its citizens are actively engaged at the community level.

A collaborative approach among education stakeholders (parents, teachers, and communities) fosters a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for the future of education.

Decentralisation recognizes that education systems must meet the diverse needs and characteristics of learners.

By allowing local actors to adapt and tailor educational delivery, decentralization promotes personalized learning experiences that address individual learner needs and local contexts, responding appropriately to existing challenges.

Decentralised or local decision-making fosters the exploration of new pedagogical methods, the integration of digital-age technologies, and the adoption of advanced teaching practices and tools.

This flexibility encourages experimentation with alternative education models and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Decision-makers with the authority, power, and capacity to Decentralised education systems can respond more quickly and appropriately to emerging challenges and changing external factors.

Unlike state governments, local actors have the agility and flexibility to effectively reallocate resources and address specific educational needs in a timely manner.

Decentralised education paves the way for the transformation of traditional education systems and empowers learners with creativity, innovation, and freedom.