Managing higher education

An effective system of management and financial control of higher education in the public sector is essential if the polytechnics and other colleges are to play a full part in future developments over the next decade. Whatever the outcome of the present discussions about that decade, higher education in the public sector had an important continuing role. The main reasons for the review are that under the present system there is no effective mechanism for central planning in the maintained sector, and financial responsibilities are not clearly defined. There are three particular criticisms of the present system.