An Analysis of an Educational Policy Making Process in a Local Government

— A Case Study of a “Town Employing Full-Time Teachers” Policies in Kaifu —

Abstract

This paper analyzed the process of making one special educational policy for Kaifu, a town in Tokushima prefecture, and focused on the agents and resources for that policy during the process. The policy allows the town to employ full-time teachers which is an exception permitted by the central government (Usually, full-time teachers are employed by prefectures).

Through the analysis, we can at least say that when creating a small scale educational policy for a rural area, it is very important to rely on experts with knowledge of educational policies with understanding of political issues, and not "the opinions of the general public on education". In addition, we can say that the political actions of the town mayor and council members are also very important in the process.