Federal finance, fiscal imbalance and educational inequality
This paper discusses the practice and problems associated with the financing of education in federal political systems as a way of highlighting issues involved in the diversification of the sources of educational financing. The major imbalances between the finances and responsibilities of a federal government and the combined units of a lower level of government, and of the individual units of a lower level of government are concentrated on in general and with regard to education in particular. The experiences of six federal countries in dealing with these imbalances are then described and the lessons learned discussed.
The reform of intergovernmental fiscal relations in developing and emerging market economies
An important dimension of public sector reform in developing and emerging market economies has been the loosening of central control over the private sector and lower level governments. Anwar Shah's overview of the principles and best practices of fiscal federalism should help guide policy debates on restructuring intergovernmental fiscal arrangements. Strong emphasis on central planning impedes innovative responses to local issues by local governments and stymies private sector development. Decentralization should be the rule, Shah contends, unless a strong case can be made for centralizing specific responsibilities. Local public services can be provided more efficiently if expenditures more closely match local needs and preferences. More closely linking benefits to costs also promotes accountability. Increased fiscal autonomy can also help mobilize more revenue from local sources, improving a country's fiscal position. And decentralized decisionmaking encourages local participation in development. Constitutional responsibilities should be stated clearly and precisely. Tax and spending assignments should be determined simultaneously, so revenue means are matched as closely as possible to spending needs at each level of government. The Reform of Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations in Developing and Emerging Market Economies
Extent of East-African Nurse Leaders' Participation in Health Policy Development
This paper reports part of a bigger study whose aim was to develop an empowerment model that could be used to enhance nurse leaders' participation in health policy development. A Delphi survey was applied which included the following criteria: expert panelists, iterative rounds, statistical analysis, and consensus building. The expert panelists were purposively selected and included national nurse leaders in leadership positions at the nursing professional associations, nursing regulatory bodies, ministries of health, and universities in East Africa. The study was conducted in three iterative rounds. The results reported here were gathered as part of the first round of the study and that examined the extent of nurse leaders' participation in health policy development. Seventy-eight (78) expert panelists were invited to participate in the study, and the response rate was 47%. Data collection was done with the use of a self-report questionnaire. Data analysis was done by use of SPSS and descriptive statistics were examined. The findings indicated that nurse leaders participate in health policy development though participation is limited and not consistent across all the stages of health policy development. The recommendations from the findings are that health policy development process needs to be pluralistic and inclusive of all nurse leaders practicing in positions related to policy development and the process must be open to their ideas and suggestions.