Management of Educational Institutions
The management of all levels and types of educational institutions are regulated by statute with the Minster of Education or the Ministry of Education having some say in the management. The EA1996 provides different models of management and governance for the different types of educational institutions established under its provisions.
Kindergartens, primary and secondary educational institutions
The provisions regulating management in Part IV, Chapter 11 of the EA1996 appear to be directed more at kindergartens, primary and secondary educational institutions than at the other types of institutions created under the Act. These institutions are by far the most populous and, because of the levels of education they deliver, the ones over which the regulators would want greater control. Generally, all educational institutions, other than those exempted or prescribed with special models of governance are required to be managed in accordance with an instrument of government, which every educational institution is required by the Act to have (ss.53, 55). The instrument of government is a concept of British origin, applied in the management of schools that serves as a constitution to the body that is to be governed. In line with this purpose, s.53 (2) stipulates that ‘every instrument of government must provide for the constitution of a board of governors, with a chairman, for the management of the educational institution by the governors in a manner not inconsistent with the Act and any regulations made under this Act.’ The Act does not describe the management powers or duties of the chairman or the governors but leaves it open for the Minister to issue regulations, to prescribe the duties of the governors and other persons responsible for the management of educational institutions.
Institutes of Teacher Education
Instruments of government of a similar description as that discussed above are also prescribed for institutes of teacher education that are not established by the Ministry of Education. In the case of institutes established and maintained by the Minister, the Education (Institutes of Teacher Education) Regulations 2010 (P.U. (A) 388/2010) provides a more detailed management structure resembling that of a university established under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (the UUCA).
Polytechnics
In the case of polytechnics established under the EA1996, the Act does not attempt to set out the management structure of such institutions but empowers the Minster to make regulations generally on all matters affecting these institutions.
