INTEGRAL APPROACH TO DEFINE EDUCATION SYSTEM CONNECTED WITH ECONOMIC SYSTEM: CASE STUDY OF CROATIA

The economic system and its development is essentially connected with the educational system, because knowledge is the basis of any economic system. The purpose of this paper is to give the answer on the strategic question: “How to create the educational system better connected with economic system? ”, i. e. “How educate to achieve better economic results? ”, on the case study of Croatia. In this study this is made by the means of the answer on classic questions of economic (efficient) organization: “What, how and for whom to produce/educate? ” The answers to achieve better connection between education and economic system are given through two basic type of needed adaptation: a) strategical and b) tactical-operating ones. The achieved results are:

a) Strategic Adaptation. This adjustment relates to the formation of economics identity and its economic compatible educational identity and strategic formal education planning (professions and their levels with respect to the number and structure) and defining the desired strategic quality of educational outcomes. For Croatia is recommended the formation of economic identity in three basic areas: Mediterranean, continental Central and business-entrepreneurial. For strategic formal education planning is recommended the conduct of screening required professions and formal educational levels (primary, secondary, tertiary, post - tertiary) with respect to the required number and structure. Also it is proposed the desired educational quality.

b) Tactical-Operating Adaptation. This adjustment relates to the definition of specific tactical and operational educational outcomes at every level of the educational areas and levels of education, as well as any specific educational institutions. There are proposed specific knowledges and skills as well as specific values​​, attitudes and habits, respectively professional competences needed for economic development. Under this adjustment also is proposed the sound system of tactical management of human resources at the national educational system, but also the operational level of each educational institution.

Educational policy to stay connected with economic policy (development strategy), with such system proposals can form functional human capital, which will be the carrier of the future economic development, with a wide demand and supply component. Specifically meaningful national educational policy (strategy) on this way can be associated with all other sectors, development and economic strategy in particular.