DECENTRALIZATION OF SCHOOL GOVERNING OPENS NEW POSSIBILITIES
Decentralization of vocational schools’ governing in Lithuania started two years ago. During this process
vocational schools, previously subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Science, have been reorganized
into self-governing institutions. That has provided municipalities, enterprises and other interested bodies with
an opportunity to take part in the governing of VET institutions.
Reorganization of VET schools into self-governing institutions began in 2003 with the implementation of the
resolutions of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, concerning decentralization and deconcentration of
the functions of the centrally governed institutions. During the initial stage this status was granted to 8
vocational schools situated in different counties of the Republic. By 2008 the status will be granted to 10 more
VET schools.
The main administrative body in a public institution is the general meeting of the shareholders, each
shareholder having a single vote. The meeting has the power to appoint and dismiss the head of the institution,
to approve and amend the regulations, to confirm financial and activity accounts. The founder of the institution
- the Ministry of Education and Science – becomes one of the shareholders. Thus, the municipality and social
partners, being equal shareholders, gain the right to take part in administrating the institution alongside with its
founder. That enables them to effectively respond to the needs of a particular region as well as to the changing
requirements for the qualification of the graduates.
One of the shareholders of our school is a privately owned construction enterprise. It has become obvious that
the status of a self-governing institution changes the approach of the enterprise towards the VET institution.
The school financed from the State budget is usually associated with a beggar, and its support is regarded as
charity. However, as soon as the enterprise becomes a shareholder of an institution the material and other
values of the latter are considered the capital of the enterprise. The shareholder has the right to sell or transfer
its capital to other shareholders as well as to get its share back when the enterprise is liquidated. Thus,
participating in the administration of a public institution, the enterprise employs its capital to invest into the
training of its workers. That gives a chance for a VET institution to make use of the company’s equipment and
its specialists’ experience. The described relationship between an enterprise and a vocational school is highly
relevant to builder training in Lithuania. Construction companies are modernizing their equipment and
technologies while vocational schools, that train workers for these companies, do not have such equipment in
their classrooms and workshops yet. The status of a self-governing institution is crucial in dealing with this
problem.
A self-governing VET institution retains a remarkable independence. It can be a member of various non-profit
making organizations, which provide the school with a better access to useful information. The head of a VET
institution is granted the right to replace and confirm the staff. The estimate of such an institution consists of
only two lines, i.e. only the amount of money for wages is fixed. The rest can be used at the institution’s own
discretion. The head of the institution is authorized to make decisions and various transactions on behalf of the
institution. That gives a considerable freedom and a possibility to react timely to the changing situation, yet it
also requires a high qualification and responsibility for the decisions taken.
Our experience of working in a self-governing VET institution has proved its vitality and relevance. Its status is
the most appropriate while dealing with today’s problems and challenges in VET. Therefore, the government
programme for 2004-2008 provides for further increase in number of self-governing VET institutions.
Juozas Baranauskas, The principal of Vilnius Builder Training Centre, 2005