When we talk about higher & post-secondary education, it’s important to understand how rules are made. Who sets up education policies? Who gets to decide how education should be done in a country, and decide what a good education is?
In this chapter, we’ll have an overview of the different government bodies that you have to know about. It will help you understand future chapters, because you’ll know who’s behind how education is delivered in a country! 🥸
There are 2 main departments (or “ministries”) you have to be aware of:
The Department of Education: this one is quite obvious, because it’s in charge of the education policies!
The Department of Labor: in charge of making sure people have a job, and all job-related policies. They can be responsible of continuing education (adult training).
These 2 departments are somehow linked. Education typically prepares students for work. If the education step is done well, it should equip people with the right skills who can then find a job more easily.
Department of Education
In most countries, including the US, UK and France, education is considered so important that it has its own department (or ministry) in the government.
The name might change over time. The responsibility scope can also change.
However, whatever the country, the Department of Education will typically make sure that:
People have access to education
There is no discrimination
There is financial aid for those who need it the most
Education is of high quality, with a robust accreditation process for diplomas and/or degrees
Education delivers outcomes, including helping students acquire skills and eventually jobs
Now, as each country is quite specific, I’d like to dive in how it’s done in the US, UK and France.
🇺🇳 Country by Country
🇺🇸 USA
In the US, the Department of Education (ED) is the main body responsible for Education. However, Education is decentralized in the US: each State is autonomously determining curricula and Educational standards. Accreditation and degrees are granted by accrediting bodies, that are approved by the Department of Education.
So what does the Department of Education do, you might wonder? 🤔
They establish policies on federal aid for education. Indeed, there is money coming from the federal government (and not States) to help students who need financial aid.
They collect data on education and share their research
They make sure there is national attention on key educational issues
They ensure equal access to education, make sure there is no discrimination.
They oversee postsecondary education as well as adult education (lifelong learning).
They approve and oversee accrediting bodies.
They assist the president in executing education policies for the nation and in implementing laws enacted by Congress. (see: An Overview of the U.S. Department of Education)
🇬🇧 UK
In the UK, there are different countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They each have their own autonomy in setting up their education policies.
We won’t review all of them, but let’s focus at least on England, where there is the Department for Education (DfE). It’s in charge of child protection as well as compulsory education, higher education and apprenticeships.
🇫🇷 France
France seems a bit simpler in a way as it’s more centralized than the US and the UK where there are states or countries inside the country. 🤪
… or is it? France divides education in 2 ministries:
Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sport (”Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports”): it is overseeing public and mandatory education, from early childhood to baccalauréat (lycée). It is the biggest expenditure from the French state, and directly employs a million teachers.
Ministry of Higher Education and Research (”Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche”): it is overseeing university-level education as well as research.
As you can see, in France there is some clear split between initial education and higher education, with 2 different ministries. Education is directly managed by the state.
Department of Labor
The Department of Labor oversees wage and hours standards, everything related to occupational safety, unemployment benefits, etc.
You might wonder why I’m talking about this. How this is related to education? Well, it’s hard to talk about education without talking about employment. After all, during education you get skills and degrees that will be useful for your future job. If the education job is done well, then the job of the Department of Labor becomes easier.
More importantly, the Department of Labor can be responsible for adult training (lifelong learning). Of course, it depends on the country, so let’s dive in the different countries!
🇺🇳 Country by Country
🇺🇸 USA
The Department of Labor (DoL) in the US has the responsibility to foster, promote, and develop the well being of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
Inside the DoL, you will find the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) (you can view it as a sub-department). Its mission is to provide training, employment, labor market information, and income maintenance services.
🇬🇧 UK
In the UK, there is the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). They have responsibility for business, research and innovation, energy, climate change, etc.
The higher and further education (continuing education) policies are now handled by the Department for Education. This is different from the US and France, where the Department of Labor (or their equivalent) has responsibility over the continuing education policies.
🇫🇷 France
In France, the Labor Ministry (Ministère du Travail) is in charge of labor policies. It is also in charge of regulating training providers through France Compétences.
Inside it, you will find the Délégation générale à l'Emploi et à la Formation professionnelle (DGEFP) who is in charge of employment policies and continuing education.
