Balancing Autonomy and Equity: The Role of Decentralised Governance in Online Education

Edwin Francis, Razalina Abdul Rashid, Zuliana Muktar, Shairil Izwan Taasim and Nurul Asyikin Hassan
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Edwin Francis: Faculty of Business and Management, Open University Malaysia
Razalina Abdul Rashid: Faculty of Business and Management, Open University Malaysia
Zuliana Muktar: Faculty of Business and Management, Open University Malaysia
Shairil Izwan Taasim: Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Nurul Asyikin Hassan: Faculty of Human Sciences, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 3, 3944-3955

Abstract: This study aimed to explore the effects of decentralised governance on online education. Online education is increasingly important as educational institutions adapt to digital learning. Local or regional educational bodies receive decision-making power from decentralised education, which transfers it from central authorities. . Greater flexibility and responsiveness are among the advantages offered by this approach. However, challenges are also present. Equal access to resources and support across different areas is a key challenge. The rise of online education has increased the need for decentralisation since learners and institutions are often spread across large geographical areas. This study examined how decentralised governance affects three key areas of online education, including access to educational resources, learner satisfaction with learning platforms, and social integration within learning centres. The study used survey data from learners in various locations and analysis of this data aimed to clarify how governance structures influence the quality of the online learning experience. The study also attempted to identify any potential differences in educational offerings. Key findings indicated that decentralisation facilitates localised decision-making and the possibility of region-specific enhancements. Decentralisation also poses the risk of engendering disparities. Learners in metropolitan centres, such as Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, exhibit greater satisfaction with educational materials and platform use than their counterparts in distant areas, such as Sabah and Sarawak, which highlights the need for targeted policies. These policies should ensure that learners everywhere have fair access to resources and support. Such resources and support are crucial for success in online education. The study concludes with recommendations for educational policymakers. The study emphasises balancing decentralised autonomy with centralised monitoring. This balance helps address resource gaps and infrastructure challenges which suggests that further research should focus on optimising decentralised systems for diverse learner populations in online education.

Date: 2025
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