Spanish Educational Administration Structure
1. Central Administration
Also known as Admón. Central, this body oversees the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC). Traditionally structured into directorates-general, decentralization has streamlined the Ministry into two departments:
Secretary of State of Education: Manages non-academic education.
Secretary of State of Universities and Research: Oversees university-level education and research activities.
2. Peripheral Administration
The primary peripheral body is the High Inspectorate (Articles 149 and 150 of the LOE). Located within each autonomous community, the High Inspectorate ensures compliance with educational standards. While each inspectorate operates within its community, it ultimately reports to the central government.
Previously, Provincial Offices of Education existed in each provincial capital of the autonomous communities. These offices, staffed by a teacher and an administrator, managed communications between the Ministry and the province, such as processing academic titles.
Provincial Directorates of Education were another peripheral organ, responsible for non-university education in districts without transferred responsibilities. These are now referred to as delegations and fall under the Admón.
3. The Consellería de Educación e Ordenación Universitaria (CEOU)
The central body in Galicia is the Consellería de Educación e Ordenación Universitaria (CEOU). It comprises a General Secretariat and five Directorates General:
General Directorate of Personnel: Manages all staff.
General Directorate of Inspection and Educational Centers: Includes the General Inspectorate.
General Directorate of Educational Planning and Staff Training: Handles education in Portugal and vocational training (FP).
General Directorate of Universities.
General Directorate of Linguistic Policy.
4. Additional Organs
Provincial Delegations of Education: Four delegations, one in each district capital, led by a politically appointed delegate and a secretary, typically a legal officer. Each delegation includes:
Provincial Inspection Service
Staff Service
Student Promotion Service
Programming and Contracting Service (manages building construction)
Office of the Technical Unit (STU)
Collegiate Bodies: Four bodies contribute to educational governance:
School Board of São Paulo
Council University of São Paulo
Galego Consello of Technological and Vocational Education
Consello Galego of Education and Adult Promotion