Financial Ethics in the Usage of Public Funds. Evidence from the Romanian Higher Education

• Main Author: Cristina Drumea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ovidius University Press 2021-01-01
• Series: Ovidius University Annals: Economic Sciences Series
• Subjects: higher education; ethics; staffing cost
• Online Access: https://stec.univ-ovidius.ro/html/anale/RO/2021/Section%203/15.pdf

There is always a battle of principles when discussing public sector funding, with a special focus on education. This particular field calls for attention as Governments tend to consider it strategic in their planning, however not always sufficiently funded, nor sufficiently scrutinized despite numerous control mechanisms. While this study focuses on the Romanian context, findings may indicate similar practices in other national systems. An investigation of the unusually high vacancy rates in Higher Education, combined with the cost per hour for teaching activities related to these vacancies reveals a combination of mixed competencies, at a diluted staffing cost, which produces differential outcomes in regard to quality standards. The teaching act suffers and negative consequences can already be foreseen. A replicated pattern, found in all census data provides evidence that practice is widely spread, raising ethical issues. After depicting the findings, the conclusion speculates on the broader outcomes.