Advantages and Disadvantages of Decentralization of Education in India B.Ed Notes

Back to: Education in Contemporary India – Unit 2

Decentralization is a particular form of organizational structure where the top management owns the decision-making responsibilities and supervises the daily operations of the middle and lower subordinates. Hence, the top management can focus on making major decisions with more abundance of time. According to  Louis A. Allen, “Decentralisation refers to the systematic effort to delegate to the lowest levels all authority except that which can only be exercised at central points.”

Advantages of Decentralization of Education

The advantages of decentralization of education in India are as follows:

1. Reduces burden: It can be helpful in reducing the burden of the management who is at the top.
2. Facilitates Quick Decision Making: It enables school management systems to make decisions faster.
3. Evaluation of Performance: It fosters the evaluation of the performance of different staff and students present in the institution.
4. Better Supervision: It allows the educational management system to supervise over the school effectively.
5. Better Control: Through decentralisation, the management system can have enhanced and efficient control over the school.

Disadvantages of Decentralisation of Education

The disadvantages of decentralization of education in India are as follows:

1. Lack of Uniformity: In the context of the policies being followed, a lack of uniformity may arise.
2. Lack of Coordination: Decentralisation can also lead to a lack of coordination resulting in conflicts.
3. Lack of Trained Faculty: Decentralisation requires the hiring of trained and qualified personnel and there may be a lack of the same.
4. Financial Burden: Decentralisation can increase the financial burden of the institution.
5. Creates Conflict; It has the potential to strike a conflict between the managers and faculties of different divisions.

Giving additional responsibilities to schools is a popular form of decentralisation of education. This is referred to as school autonomy or school-based management. The election or appointment of school councils with budgets and the authority to make educational decisions takes place. Decentralisation can also lead to empowering school directors and teaching faculty to make educational decisions.