Decentralisation of power, authority and responsibility for staffing function in primary schools: The experience from Bagamoyo district council in Tanzania
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mzumbe University
Abstract
This research report describes the reasons and effects of diverse distribution of power, authority and responsibility in the staffing function for primary school teachers in Bagamoyo District Council. The study is based on the premise that improvement in primary education depends on the effectiveness of the staffing function, which is also a function of the effectiveness of the distribution of power, authority and responsibility among various organs in the education system.
Data were collected through documentary review, in-depth interviews and meetings from key informants and teachers. It is observed that although the distribution of power, authority and responsibility between TSC, SID, CSD, MOF and MOE helps to have central and coordinated approach to primary education delivery system, and regulation of employment for teachers, there are strong dissatisfactions on teachers appointments, placement, promotion, transfer, benefits, training and development. The reasons for dissatisfactions centre on failure of the responsible organs to make decision and act as stipulated by various regulations, although it was not clear which organ was mostly responsible for the failures because of "finger pointing tendencies" towards one another.
It is also noted that although the new Public Service Act 2002 and Public Service Regulations and Scheme of Service 2003 should improve the distribution of power, authority and responsibility for staffing function in local authorities, a brief review of the legislations does not suggest that being the case.
There are more organs struggling to share power, authority and responsibility, and pluralist tendencies which concentrate control at the top of the central government bureaucracy. It is anticipated that, there will be more possibilities of conflicts and frustrations in the process of executing staffing function at various levels. The possible outcome is frequent "pass over of the bucket" to each other when it comes to accountability.
It appears that the solution to questions to do with power, authority and responsibility in staffing for primary school teachers cannot be obtained from frequent formulation of policies, legislations and creation of new structures.
What matters most is willingness of the central government to delegate enough power, authority and responsibility to local authorities not only in terms of policy and statutory provisions but also through sufficient support in human and financial resources.
Description
This book was sent to DRPS for publication
Keywords
Educational decentralisation, Staff supervision, Primary school administration, Teacher recruitment, Educational management, Administrative responsibility, Decentralisation process, Power decentralisation, Political decentralisation, Financial decentralisation, Local government relations, Recruitment, Selection, Placement
Citation
APA