Educational decentralization in Latin America: Lessons learned

Abstract

This paper describes some of the financial, efficiency (wastage), quality, and equity changes which occurred during educational decentralization in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. The data show that there are obvious discrepancies between what educational policymakers preached and what was practiced through decentralization. Financial, efficiency, and power distribution arguments were the main thrust behind the reforms. Yet, for example, basic education financing continues, in general, to rely heavily on central government resources. The evidence suggests that management styles may not be key factors to increase sector productivity, but are appropriate fora to speed up efficiency. Quality of education did not improve during the decentralization process, and the gap between the better off and worst off schools actually widened.