Introduction to the ESDF

What is the Education Sector Development Framework?

The Government of Lao PDR and Development Partners jointly agreed to produce a strategic plan for the education sector, as stated under the Vientiane Declaration. The plan is now known as the Education Sector Development Framework or ESDF.

The ESDF responds to the Governments National Socio-Economic Development Policy and will concentrate on enabling education priorities to accelerate economic growth and poverty reduction in Laos PDR.

The ESDF represents a move towards a Sector Wide Approach in the education sector with Government leadership and ownership of a policy-led strategic framework resulting in a prioritized, phased and costed program of implementation for the whole sector.

The ESDF will strengthen mutual confidence through providing a single framework for education reform against which all Government and development partner education resources can be programmed.

What will the Education Sector Development Framework Consist of?

The Education Sector Development Framework will incorporate the following components:

	A set of phased policy priorities and targets, using the National Education System Reform Strategy (NESRS) as the starting point.
	A set of phased strategic priorities and targets designed to guide the implementation of the Governments new 5-4-3 system for schooling and planned expansion of technical, vocational and higher education.
	A medium and longer-term framework for the financing of the education reform program, which reflects priorities, defines the role of Government, parents, the private sector and development partners and forms the basis for rationalization of existing resources and future resource mobilization.
	A well defined institutional and organizational reform process and priorities aimed at ensuring the necessary planning and implementation capacity is in place.
	An agreed process for stakeholder participation in annual education sector performance review processes, as a basis for strategy adjustment and negotiation, through the Education Sector Working Group (ESWG).

How will the Education Sector Development Framework be Prepared?

The Ministry of Education will lead development of the ESDF through a number of key focal groups consisting of senior MoE staff, representatives of other Government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.

These focal groups will review the effectiveness of current strategies for implementing the vision and mission of the National Education System Reform Strategy (NESRS) and achieving education sector policy and targets.

The focal groups will identify strategic issues and review sector performance, drawing on a range of information sources. The focal groups will identify where new or refined strategies are needed, consider alternative options and finally make recommendations for ESDF strategic priorities.

These recommendations will be reviewed and screened by the ESDF steering committee and subsequently the Education Sector Working Group and form the basis of the final ESDF document.

To participate in this process, please contact the ESDF Secretariat.

What Documents will the Education Sector Development Framework be Guided by?