Policy and Planning

A country’s education policy dictates nearly every feature of a public school system: from language of instruction to content and structure of curricula, from the frequency of teacher training to the time allocated to specific subjects within the school day, from reporting responsibilities to assessment practices.

These systems do not operate in isolation. Political divides, historical successes and failures, donor preferences, funding realities, scholarly research, and cultural norms all shape what is possible in a country’s education policy. Successful policies take each element into account while ensuring that all students can learn.

STS assists governments and international donors in the development of sound education policies and streamlining of planning processes, so they can act on their educational priorities in a strategic and timely manner.

STS’s experts have decades of experience, from local to national levels, providing assistance to governments and donors across Africa and Asia. We bring numerous perspectives to the policy planning process, including reading and math content considerations, instructional best practices, and assessment models to inform professional development to policy and planning dialogues. In particular, we prioritize inclusiveness, measurability, and locally sustainable strategies.

STS’s work developing and advising on curriculum and teacher education policy in Malawi and Nigeria, evaluation of professional development program reforms in Djibouti and Madagascar, and assistance with the development of education strategies and donor support plans in Rwanda and Senegal exemplifies its commitment to strengthening education systems at the policy level in order to ensure that all children can learn.