The decree-law establishing the Directorate-General for Studies, Planning, and Evaluation (DGEPA) was published today in the Official Gazette, outlining the mission and competencies of the new body as part of the reform of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation (MECI).
The document states that the DGEPA, primarily taking over the roles of the Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics, will function as a “specialized and transversal service across its areas of operation” to support the definition of strategic priorities and public policies.
The anticipated competencies include promoting studies, including prospective ones, and “providing technical support throughout the public policy cycle for the formulation of programs.”
The new directorate-general will also monitor and evaluate the implementation of public policies in education, science, and innovation, additionally taking on responsibilities in cooperation and international relations.
In this context, the DGEPA will ensure MECI’s representation in European forums and intergovernmental technical organizations, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Regarding international relations, the DGEPA will also assume some responsibilities formerly held by the General Secretariat of Education and Science, the directorates-general of Higher Education and Education, and the Foundation for Science and Technology.
Moreover, the DGEPA’s mission includes “supervising the preparation, execution, and monitoring of MECI’s budgetary programs” and promoting “alignment between financial and non-financial management tools in coordination with the services and bodies responsible for budget implementation.”
Its budgetary functions include evaluating service performance, overseeing the preparation, execution, and monitoring of MECI’s activity and project budgets, and providing technical and financial support for defining policies, priorities, and objectives.
The DGEPA replaces the Financial Management Institute of Education, another entity dissolved as part of the MECI reform.
The new directorate-general will be led by a director, assisted by two deputy directors, according to the decree-law, which takes effect on October 1.
