Conceptual Foundations of Mechanisms for Public Management of the Educational Potential of Local Communities

Abstract

The conceptual and terminological framework of mechanisms for public management of the educational potential of local communities has been summarised. Scientific approaches to the interpretation of the concepts of «mechanism,» «public management,» «education,» and «educational potential» have been analysed. It is emphasised that the substantive scope of the category «public management» integrates state and municipal administration as its basic components. It is proposed that public administration mechanisms be viewed as a complex system of methods, tools, procedures, and resources with a clear legal and regulatory foundation, through which a targeted influence is exerted on administrative entities in order to address social problems and advance the public interest. The paper identifies various interpretations of the concept of education, specifically education as a value, a process, an outcome, a system, and a social institution. It is emphasised that education is an instrument of resilience in times of aggression and the main driver of Ukraine’s future recovery. The concept of education is examined as an open system with a set of specific properties that characterise its systemic nature, namely: integrity, self-organisation, resilience, nonlinearity, non-equilibrium, and complexity. It is argued that educational potential serves as a fundamental determinant of the socioeconomic progress of local communities. The paper examines research areas related to educational potential, specifically as a component of national cultural wealth; as a quantitative indicator reflecting the educational level of the workforce and changes in the complexity and quality of labour; and as a basic component of intangible capital. The use of a comprehensive approach to interpreting the concept of «mechanism of public governance of educational potential» is justified. The principles for developing the educational potential of local communities have been systematised, including: emergence, hierarchy, integrity, priority of quality, adaptability, accessibility, and continuity. In this context, emphasis is placed on taking into account the Law of Ukraine «On Education,» which contains a list of principles for educational activities.