The advantages of financial autonomy of educational institutions can no longer be questioned given the positive practical experience of individual municipalities. This was stated by Serhii Diatlenko, U-LEAD education expert.
According to him, financial autonomy is aimed at increasing the efficiency of education expenditures rather than reducing their amount:
“Among its advantages is the possibility of saving on utility bills. For example, an educational institution can enter into agreements with service providers directly and choose the most profitable option, find contractors and make purchases independently. Furthermore, advanced software products can be implemented, especially accounting solutions; funds can be directed to staff allowances and bonuses; additional resources can be attracted for development, etc. The head of the institution can independently determine the priority of issues that need to be resolved,” said Mr Diatlenko.
According to Maryna Honcharenko, Adviser on Municipal Finance and Management, the state guarantees the academic, organisational, financial and personnel autonomy of educational institutions in accordance with Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On Education”. The main aspects of autonomy are already provided for under the current legal framework. However, its full implementation is hindered by management structures that fear losing influence on the distribution of budget funds, as well as a lack of headmasters who are ready to take responsibility.
“Awareness of the unconditional organisational and economic efficiency of financial autonomy, even under martial law, is the first step to the creation of an initiative group in the municipality and the adoption of a decision by the local council on the implementation of financial autonomy in educational institutions”, said Maryna Honcharenko.
The info session also discussed improving the efficiency of the use of budget funds, increasing the transparency and publicity of education funding, attracting additional funds, and strengthening the collective and individual responsibility of managers for the use of financial resources.
The event took place on the basis of the Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Kharkiv region.