Education policy and planning

Solid, coherent policies and plans are the bedrock on which to build sustainable education systems, achieve educational development goals and contribute effectively to lifelong learning. 

UNESCO supports national education authorities in developing robust and coherent education policies and strategies and in managing their effective implementation all within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ‘to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’.

At a time of growing inequality, closing the gaps in access to quality education requires a long-term vision and engagement. Many countries suffering financial constraints have made substantial reforms in the area of education management and governance including decentralization, public-private partnerships and autonomy of education institutions. In such a context, governments are more eager than ever to learn about effective policies and reforms.

UNESCO offers technical assistance in education policy analysis, the design of education sector development plans and donor mobilization in support of national educational priorities, such as curriculum reform, teacher policies, and ICTs in education. In addition, it supports national institutional capacity-building in policy formulation, sector analysis, educational planning, policy simulation and dialogue, resource projections, sector management, programme monitoring and evaluation, development cooperation and donor coordination.