Dimensions of Education Policy B. A Policy-Oriented Approach 41. The fundamental purpose of policy is to articulate and clarify goals and to provide a conceptual framework to guide progress towards those goals.
Policy is therefore to some extent a statement of vision - a declaration of what is to be achieved.
Experience globally and regionally demonstrates that most of the fundamental issues of education development cannot be resolved in isolation from each other and cannot therefore be resolved in the absence of a coordinated framework that establishes clear goals and priorities for reform - in other words, in the absence of sector policy. The focus of ADB s education investment should be on education sector development and reform, thus maximizing ADB's leverage and impact. Lending must be based on a sound analysis of the sector and a clearly articulated sector policy reform framework that aims to facilitate progress towards achieving stated goals and resolving identified issues with particular reference to improving access by the poor to education. Resources should be invested in a set of activities linked to a comprehensive policy reform framework. Funding classrooms and desks for girls, for example, should continue but such investment will be far more effective if resources are also provided to develop policy incentives for increasing girls enrollment, addressing policy constraints to training and recruiting female teachers, and ensuring equitable allocation of budgetary resources for schools enrolling large proportions of poor girls.