This study aims to analyze the challenges of educational planning in management of the municipal education system. Specifically, the goal is to understand whether implementing the Joint Action Plan follows the trail of hegemony and centrality of the state and/or is a means of providing voice to civil society in the conduct of public management. A case study determines that PAR performance depends on a balance of centralizing and decentralizing execution of actions to strengthen municipalities’ powers in educational planning. Moreover, it is essential to fulfill the state’s central role, to collaborate on the budget, management and pedagogical difficulties affecting local administrative entities. Perhaps educational planning can contribute to the desired federal balance.
Planning; PAR; Municipal education system