Education is a powerful factor in determining the shape of a modern society. Recognition of its importance for the wealth and power of a society has risen dramatically in recent years. As a result, the 'demand' for education has increased; and education has assumed a prominent place among contemporary public issues. This change in the relationship between 'education' and 'politics' has, in turn, tended to disrupt the operation of established institutions and procedures for making educational policy and caused a search for new organizational forms.