The Implementation of Participation Principle in Providing Free Education in Gowa Regency, Indonesia

Autonomy paradigm has independence in regulating and managing household affairs. In fact, elaboration of transparency, accountability, and participation principles in local government administration has not yet been implemented properly, including in education sector. This study aimed at examining the implementation of participation principle including perception, trust and level of participation in providing free education in Gowa Regency, Indonesia. Through in-depth interviews supported by descriptive data, this study indicated that participation principle had not been implemented optimally in providing free education in Gowa Regency. There were no firm and clear regulations governing procedures, mechanisms and methods for involving community participation in providing free education. In addition, the Education Office, as a technical provider of free education, should be able to minimize inhibiting factors in carrying out its duties and functions by increasing capability and professionalism of its human resources through increasing discipline and responsibility, education, and training that is relevant to its duties and functions so that it is more optimal and able to support its realization of good governance in Local Government of Gowa Regency.