ˌLocal Eduˈcation Auˌthority abbreviation, LEA noun
a former organization in the UK which was responsible for public education in a particular area. The LEA was in charge of all the schools in an area, except for GRANT-MAINTAINED SCHOOLs and private institutions, and it paid the wages of the teachers there. Since 2006 their responsibilities have been passed on to the part of each Local Authority that deals with education.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲