Unanticipated Consequences of Reforms in School Governance

• DOI: 10.2478/nispa-2021-0023
• Publication Date: 2021-12-02T19:24:23Z
• Authors: Jolanta Urbanovič; Michiel S. de Vries; Barbara Stankevič
• Keywords: Distrust; Delegation

Abstract This article argues that policy development and evaluations should not only incorporate whether to what extent the policies achieve intended goals, but also take unintended consequences of into account. Based on classic work sociologist Robert Merton, this addresses side-effects attempts have been made by Lithuanian national government improve governance basic high-schools. The goals concerned increase autonomy school through decentralization responsibilities; increasing control over governance; market-driven governance, inducing competition collaboration between schools, altering relation service providers recipients. An in-depth analysis shows there were serious side-effects. Due limited knowledge capabilities at local level resulted in sub-optimal decision-making level. As transfer went hand with laws strict regulations, stipulating financing content education, setting standards uniform requirements reduced ability schools make autonomous decisions rather turned them bodies implementing standards. A decrease cost-efficiency is visible as every has its own plans; administrative burdens increase, insufficient funding results a shortages instead transferring responsibility find solutions for those shortages, becoming more collegiate, becomes competitive resulting distrust all expected negative consequences. plans could developed differently if these had taken account beforehand. If such would be anticipated, realism, less one-sided unfounded optimism end, frustration demotivation.