1.

Centralized and Decentralized Educational Management:

Centralized Educational Management:

This type of educational management refers to the centralization of the power and
responsibility of educational administration, supervision and control which results in
educational management on one hand and division and distribution of powers and
responsibilities of educational administration, supervision and control that results in
educational management.

In the centralized educational management all sorts of powers, responsibilities in relation to

educational management are vested in one hand. Suppose in the field of higher education the
Director, Higher Education is the real executive head and all sorts of powers and
responsibilities remain in his/her hand. The other associate officers are Additional Director,
Deputy Director, Assistant Director remain silent in this regard.

According to Allen, “Centralization” is the systematic and consistent reservation of authority

at central points in the organization. The implication of centralization can be:-

 Reservation of decision making power at top level.

 Reservation of operating authority with the middle level managers.
 Reservation of operation at lower level at the directions of the top level.

Decentralized Educational Management:

On the other hand, Decentralization is a systematic delegation of authority at all levels of

management and in all of the organization. In a decentralization concern, authority in retained
by the top management for taking major decisions and framing policies concerning the whole
concern. Rest of the authority may be delegated to the middle level and lower level of
management.

The degree of centralization and decentralization will depend upon the amount of authority
delegated to the lowest level. According to Allen, “Decentralization refers to the systematic
effort to delegate to the lowest level of authority except that which can be controlled and
exercised at central points.

Decentralization is not the same as delegation. In fact, decentralization is all extension of

delegation. Decentralization pattern is wider is scope and the authorities are diffused to the
lowest most level of management.
Implications of Decentralization

1. There is less-burden on the Chief Executive as in the case of centralization.

2. In decentralization, the subordinates get a chance to decide and act independently
which develops skills and capabilities.
3. In decentralization, diversification and horizontal can be easily implanted.
4. In decentralization structure, operations can be coordinated at divisional level which
is not possible in the centralization set up.
5. In the case of decentralization structure, there is greater motivation and morale of the
employees since they get more independence to act and decide.

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
CENTRALIZATION DECENTRALIZATION
COMPARISON

The retention of powers and

The dissemination of authority,
authority with respect to
responsibility and accountability
Meaning planning and decisions, with
to the various management levels,
the top management, is known
is known as Decentralization.
as Centralization.

Systematic and consistent

Involves Systematic dispersal of authority.
reservation of authority.

Communication
Vertical Open and Free
Flow

Decision Making Slow Comparatively faster

Proper coordination and Sharing of burden and

Advantage
Leadership responsibility

Power of decision Multiple persons have the power

Lies with the top management.
making of decision making.

Implemented Inadequate control over the Considerable control over the

when organization organization

Best suited for Small sized organization Large sized organization

 2. Authoritarian/Autocratic and Democratic Educational Management:

Authoritarian/Autocratic Educational Management:

Just like centralized management authoritarian management plays its role. In centralized
management the centralization of the power and responsibility of educational management
centered in and exercised by, a central power, organisation or agency. It implies that all the
policies and programmes are planned, directed by one central agency. Here the central
agency may be a person, a group of persons as “core group.” So when the powers and
responsibilities center round a particular person or group then the term authoritarian or
autocracy comes into limelight.

The business of the staff is to emphasize these laws, rules and central orders and to see that
these are properly carried out. The teacher as the real and regular practioner becomes the
mouth piece of the central authority having no professional freedom. This type of educational
management generally found in totalitarian or unitary states. In this type of management ‘I-
feelings’ are pre-dominant and ego of one individual prevails.

Democratic Educational management:

Now in the modern era democracy is unanimously regarded and accepted “as the way of
life.” This is not only applicable in case of a particular nation but also for the entire
globe/world. This very statement implies that in every aspect of development the democratic
principles, values and ideas must be adhered or accepted. Accordingly in the field of
management it must be accepted and implemented.

Being contextual in approach it can be visualized that in the field of education democratic
management is highly stressed. In other-words it can be said that democratic educational
management is the need of the day for bringing wholesome educational development of every
nation. Like other educational managements “authority and control” are also the two basic
hallmarks in democratic educational management, which are exercised in decentralized form.

In this management teachers get proper scope for planning, administering, organizing,
directing, coordinating, supervising, controlling and evaluating the assignments entrusted
upon them. However like democracy in democratic educational management the following
principles are highly stressed.
Principles of Democratic Educational Management:

The principles of democratic educational management are:

a. Principle of sharing responsibility:

In the field of democratic educational management everybody who is more or less involved
in the process should take the responsibility to share in the work.

b. Principle of Equality:

As equality is the basic hallmark of democracy. It should be treated and accepted in the field
of democratic educational management. So all the personnel who are involved in the process
should get equal facilities, rights and opportunities in doing their duty.

c. Principle of Freedom:

In the field of democratic educational management every person should be given freedom to
do their duty in their own jurisdiction. This will lead to make the educational management of
every educational programme successful in democratic perspective.

d. Principle of Co-operation:

In order to make educational management of any educational programme a successful one a

greater cooperation should be ensured among different persons involved in the field of
educational management.

4. Creative Educational Management:

The creative management of every educational programme indicates the uniqueness of the
head of the educational institution in which the programme is conducted. It means when the
educational management of any educational programme is done through utilization of
creative talents associated with this from top to bottom in a desirable and acceptable manner.

Comparison Chart

Basis for Autocratic leadership Democratic leadership

comparison

Meaning Autocratic leadership is one wherein Democratic leadership alludes to a type

a line of demarcation exists between of leadership in which the leader shares
the leader and his followers and all decision making power and other
the decisions are taken by leader
 solely. responsibilities with the group members.

Authority Centralized Decentralized

Behavior Task oriented Relation oriented

orientation

Conceived Theory x Theory y

from

Control High level of control Low level of control

Autonomy Less High

Suitability Appropriate when the subordinates Appropriate when team members are
unskilled, uneducated and obedient. experienced, qualified and professional.