It is often said that one of the great shortcomings of the pre-university education system is excessive centralization. Therefore, they constantly promised its decentralization. In addition, the Law on Pre-University Education, Chapter I, Article 3, letter e) states: “the principle of decentralization of decision-making – involves the redistribution of decision-making powers from the central to the local level in order to adequately respond to the needs of beneficiaries.” So the principle, proclaimed for so long, became the letter of the law. Literally. And only at first glance.

These days it became officially known that the viability of teaching positions for the next academic year will be determined not by school units, as before, but by school inspectorates.[1]. In other words, it is not the leadership of the school unit that will determine whether the position will become full-time (viable for an indefinite period), but the school inspectorate. The main argument for such a decision is the practice of some school principals not to put some full-time positions up for competition. Or issue them with a life of 1 year days (that is, a fixed period), while, in fact, they would have an indefinite life (would be securitized). Even the Minister of Education objected to this:

“The school, in order to have the opportunity to apply for a position, to a nationwide competition for the replacement of positions, must say that it is viable, that it can provide the appropriate standard in the next 4 years. Many schools do not do this because they are afraid of what will happen, because they prefer to supplement the norms of teachers who are already in the school.”[2]. No one denies the existence of such a practice. However, some additional data would be desirable. How common is this situation? Is it defining for the system of pre-university education or are the mentioned practices an exception?

The revealed solution, i.e. the transfer of decision-making powers to school inspectorates, proves that decentralization remains at the concept stage, even if it is enshrined in law. In fact, centralization is still the rule of the game in pre-university education.

At the same time, the basis of this decision is a lack of confidence in the correctness of the management staff of educational institutions combined with a reluctance to provide schools with real autonomy. If you need to remove the hard part of the system, press the centralization pedal.

On the other hand, as paradoxical as it may seem at first glance, it is quite possible that the Ministry’s decision will improve the existing situation, many positions will be unblocked, and teachers who year after year take the exam for the position and receive more than good grades will eventually manage to become titled And their stay should really be a real asset for the education system. _ Read the entire article and comment on it on Contributors.ro