CITIZEN EMPOWERMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF EDUCATION AT THE GR(19)

Delegation on the other hand, involves redistribution of authority and responsibility to local units of government or agencies that are not always necessarily branches or local offices of the delegating authority, with most of accountability still vertically directed upwards towards the delegating central unit. It is the transfer managerial responsibility for specific functions to local units, LGAs or NGOs[ Non Governmental Organisations] that may not be under the control of the central government (Rondinelli and Cheema, 1983; Bray, 1987; Olsen, 2007). In this form of decentralistion, the centre remains accountable for the activities that have been delegated to the periphery.

Despite the fact that with delegation decision making powers are conferred to the lower units, they may be withdrawn at any time. It is at this point, no much difference is seen本站提供代写Essay，代写Assignment，请联系QQ：949925041 between deconcentration and delegation. Although the power conferred to the local units through delegation may imply a higher degree of autonomy as compared to that of deconcentration in as far as decision making is concerned, the power is not ultimate as the power still rests with the central authorities which have chosen to ‘lend’ them to the local one (Bray,1987: 132). Thus, it can be argued that the two forms of decentralisation (deconcentration and delegation) above present the weak forms of power at the local levels.

Decentralisation by devolution (D-by-D) is the form of decentralisation whereby the states gives full decision making power and management authority to sub-national levels and allows decision making at local levels without asking for higher level’s approval. The scope of devolution may cover matters related to financial, staffing and administrative functions, where formal authority is transferred to the respective LGA units (Rondinelli and Cheema, 1983; Abu-Duhou, 1999; Bray, 1987; Dyer and Rose, 2005).  With decentralisation by devolution (D-by-D), full autonomy is given to the LGAs, limiting the responsibility of the central government authorities to exercising indirect/supervisory control over them (Abu-Duhou, 1999: 25). Under the D-by-D government system, the justification of decentralisation rests on its effectiveness and efficiency in resource utilization as well as responsiveness to local needs.
As part of the devolved system, privatization means that the government gives up responsibility for certain functions and transfer them to certain private enterprises (Rondinelli and Cheema, 1983, Lauglo, 1995) for the purpose of enhancing better performance.

In summary, the discussion of the three major perspectives of decentralisation indicates that the concept is broad. There can be different types of decentralisation depending on the degree of control exercised at the central level. It is on this ground that decentralisation is viewed as a ‘continuum’ of decision making power conferred by the central authorities to the authorities at the peripheries. The degree of decision making power conferred depends much on the intentions of the centre. For example, in a situation where the central government wishes to exercise control and achieve quick decision making, it may opt for a decentralisation by deconcentration or delegation.