4.4.6 Capacity of MoEs

A precondition for developing sound teacher policies is that the MoE/DoE must have the necessary human resources, with adequate technical expertise. An assessment of training needs should be carried out to ensure that civil servants and officials are able to effectively manage the public policy-making process. Box 4.10 indicates some sections in MoEs with important roles in policy-making; Table 4.2 features a checklist for assessing capacity.

BOX 4.10: SUMMARY OF MOE DEPARTMENTS WITH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE POLICY PROCESS

Planning

Planning units within the MoEs are usually responsible for coordinating all education policies. They should be positioned to effectively manage and coordinate the process with other departments and external experts, such as academics or legal experts. They should possess thorough knowledge of the policy process and the skills it requires, including policy modelling, costing and research.

Finance

The finance units within MoEs or social policy units within the ministries of finance are key to effective policy development. They should be able to provide accurate costing of policy options, and have knowledge of budgetary constraints and commitments. Where MoEs have finance units, they should effectively engage and negotiate with teams in the ministry of finance.

Source: Elaboration by the authors
TABLE 4.2: A CHECKLIST FOR ASSESSING CAPACITY
  • Is sufficient time officially allocated for policy work?
  • Does the ministry have sufficient numbers of staff with adequate knowledge and expertise about policy?
  • Do staff have adequate knowledge of policy-making?
  • Is training needed to equip staff with relevant policy-making skills and knowledge, including skills in the legislative law-making process?
  • Are there robust coordination mechanisms among the different sections in the MoEs and with other ministries?
Source: Elaboration by the authors

4.4.5 Country ownership

4.5 Timeframe and roadmap