Educational Planning in a Decentralised System
The Papua New Guinean Experience
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 1. October 2026
Book
Hardback
172 pages
978-1-041-38618-6 (ISBN)
Description
Decentralisation emerged as a prominent policy trend during the 1960s and 1970s, in both industrialized and less developed countries. In the latter, it became a popular reform for immediate post-independence governments, and Papua New Guinea was no exception.
With only three million people but 19 provincial governments and 20 ministers for Education, Papua New Guinea appeared at the time to have one of the most decentralised systems in the world. Within this framework, however, there were many contradictions and centralist strings. Originally published in 1984, Educational Planning in a Decentralised System is the first detailed account of decentralisation in the education sector in Papua New Guinea, presenting a clear analysis of the complexities of the system and the impact of decentralisation on inequalities, efficiency, and participation.
With only three million people but 19 provincial governments and 20 ministers for Education, Papua New Guinea appeared at the time to have one of the most decentralised systems in the world. Within this framework, however, there were many contradictions and centralist strings. Originally published in 1984, Educational Planning in a Decentralised System is the first detailed account of decentralisation in the education sector in Papua New Guinea, presenting a clear analysis of the complexities of the system and the impact of decentralisation on inequalities, efficiency, and participation.
More details
Person
Mark Bray began his career as a teacher in Kenya in 1970. In 1973 he moved to Benue State, Nigeria, and then in 1976 to Kano. In 1978 he was appointed to a lectureship in the Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh. This book is based on his PhD thesis completed at the University of Edinburgh and on subsequent follow-up research. Later in his career, Mark Bray taught at the Universities of Papua New Guinea, London, and Hong Kong. Between 2006 and 2010 he took leave from Hong Kong to work in Paris as Director of UNESCO's International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP). He currently holds the UNESCO Chair in Comparative Education at the University of Hong Kong.
Content
Introduction 1. Theoretical issues and practical constraints: an international perspective 2. The political history of decentralisation in Papua New Guinea 3. Decentralisation and the education system 4. Decentralisation and the financial system 5. Decentralisation and inter-provincial inequalities 6. Diversity and conformity in the education system 7. Decentralisation and efficiency 8. Participation in educational decision-making 9. Conclusions: lessons from the Papua New Guinean experience